Saturday, April 7, 2012

April 9 HONOR HILL There is a beautiful little 17th century chapel situated on top of a hill covered with a blanket of yellow daffodils. Surrounding the chapel are hundreds of gravestones sitting up high and proud for all to see. Generations are here who have lived and loved in our little village. It was a delight for me to meet and learn from a tired, white haired and wrinkled old man who I watched as he struggled to walk up the hill. He used his cane and stopped briefly at many of the headstones. At some he brushed tears from his withered cheeks and at others I could hear him gently chuckle and tip his hat as he struggled higher up on the hill. He appeared to be getting more and more fatigued as he moved on and I walked over to him and asked if he needed some help getting up such a steep hill. “No, but thank you so much. I come here on every nice day to say hello to many friends who have gone before me. To walk past their head stones is to be reminded of what great friends they were and to discuss what I have yet before me. It’s very comforting as I read their names and remember.” He pointed to the right and said, “See there – that’s old Johnny. He was the best. He loved his family, his God and his community with passion. He taught me so much in life and is now teaching me in death as well. He and I had many laughs over the years and I miss him still today. “ He twisted around a bit and with a wistful look in his sad eyes he pointed further up the hill and said, “….and up there Emma is waiting for me.. and Joey ….. and Mike. I need to move on … they’re waiting for me.” I watched him struggle on, holding his cane and stopping every so often to share a bit of himself with his old friends. His wisdom was a special gift for me. I had never been a “big cemetery” visitor, but I sure as hell will be from now on. It’s the finest honor we can give to our departed loved ones. He was a wise old man and I will be sure to honor him when the time comes.

11 Comments:

Blogger menopausal mama said...

This is beautiful and so well written. Thanks for sharing it.

April 12, 2012 at 5:29 PM  
Blogger Sharkbytes (TM) said...

I love old cemeteries. You have captured their spirit. I'm trying to visit all the A-Z Challenge Blogs this month. My alphabet is at myqualityday.blogspot.com

April 16, 2012 at 7:50 AM  
Blogger nutschell said...

a beautiful post. what a great tribute.

Nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com
Happy A-Zing!

April 16, 2012 at 10:08 AM  
Blogger loverofwords said...

Loss, so hard. I feel it in all your writing. But think of the blogger friends you have made and are here to listen.

April 19, 2012 at 8:49 AM  
Blogger SueH said...

Even looking at the inscriptions on gravestones one can sometimes learn so much about people.

Someone once sent me a poem called 'How do you live your dash?' by Linda Ellis, based on what happens between the date of birth and the date of death, this is a copy of it, and I think it says much of what the old gentleman in this blog-post was intimating as he progressed through the cemetery.


SueH I refuse to go quietly!
Twitter - @Librarymaid

April 22, 2012 at 10:07 AM  
Blogger Georgiana Keogh said...

I know, I know .... and I'm trying so hard to bring some real delight and laughter into my posts. I don't like being overcome with sadness and am working hard at shaking it off. Thanks

April 22, 2012 at 10:38 AM  
Blogger Georgiana Keogh said...

I know, I know .... and I'm trying so hard to bring some real delight and laughter into my posts. I don't like being overcome with sadness and am working hard at shaking it off. Thanks

April 22, 2012 at 10:38 AM  
Blogger Georgiana Keogh said...

It's one of my favorites ... a great little poem!

April 22, 2012 at 10:39 AM  
Blogger Georgiana Keogh said...

thanks my new friend for your comments.

April 22, 2012 at 10:40 AM  
Blogger Georgiana Keogh said...

And thanks for your comments. I'll be watching your blog from here on.....

April 22, 2012 at 10:42 AM  
Blogger Jeremy Bates said...

Nicely written. The font was hard to see but I read on anyway.

I like visiting old graveyards, especially the ones with archaic headstones from the Civil War.

April 22, 2012 at 8:42 PM  

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