This little cemetery sits right before the entrance of the camp ground at O'Bannon Woods. I've always wondered about those who were buried there so today, curiosity got the best of me... I had my camera so I decided to photograph some of the headstones. Hopefully, that is not considered sacrilegious.
Some of these stones are old.... VERY old and the writing just wasn't legible. These photos were taken through he openings of an iron fence that protects this sacred place. My camera fit fine I just couldn't turn very easily.
For some reason I just started to wonder about these folks... Drew was with me and naturally he had many questions about monsters, ghosts and other scary things. I did my best to put his mind to ease and also tried to keep from feeling guilty about taking my three year old to a cemetery.
While tying to ward off my maternal guilt - I thought of my sweet grandmother who feel ill a couple of years ago at about this time. I began to think of her life and all of the pain that she felt toward the end. It is only natural as a human being to miss those who are closest to us once they are gone.
Not only is Halloween a fun holiday for children to celebrate an obtain a bag of candy five times their body weight, it is also a day of remembrance for those who have passed through to heaven for eternity.
If found a very interesting article on Americancatholic.org. Below, I have pasted a paragraph from the article.
If found a very interesting article on Americancatholic.org. Below, I have pasted a paragraph from the article.
"Until the ninth century the Church celebrated the popular feast of All Saints on May 13th, during the season of joy after the Resurrection. This is the light in which we see all the faithful who have died, especially those whose witness to Christ is an inspiration. In 835 the date was deliberately changed to November 1 to Christianize the existing pagan time for remembering the dead—to bring light to the darkness, and hope to the most basic of human fears."
If you are interested, I would encourage you to read the article in its entirety as it answers many questions that have been asked of me by some of my protestant friends.
http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/ac1099.asp
http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/ac1099.asp
I think the pictures are lovely...not morbid at all. Loved ones chose these plots and stones to remember their loved ones. I think they would be happy that you were drawn to them, and impressed enough to take a picture. I'm sure there would be something you could make from the pics...although I can't think what at the moment. But very good photos!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jan. I think I understand All Saints Day, since I celebrate Dia de los Muertos (although that isn't strictly Catholic). Don't feel guilty about taking Drew! You're giving him a sense of history. I recently took Abigail to the cemetery where my great-grandparents are buried and she later told Lee a story about going to see the "flower-plants." I was so glad so hear her tell it in such glowing terms!
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