My mother tells me that when she was a little girl on "Decoration Day" it was the tradition for families in their community to go to the local cemetery to freshen up the graves of their loved ones. I have always been fascinated by cemeteries, especially old ones. It is interesting to me to read the memorial stones and think about those who have gone before.
Several years ago I discovered the online virtual cemetery at findagrave.com. Just for fun I enjoy researching my family's genealogy. I have appreciated being able to add photos of some of my ancestors' graves to my personal database. Two graves in particular are my favorites.
My great-great-great grandmother was born in 1847 and died in 1929. Her headstone lists her name, dates of birth and death, age, and then the simple inscription:
SHE PRAYED FOR HER CHILDREN.
I love that. No one alive ever knew her personally, yet I have to believe that her prayers for her children have continued on down through the generations.
A 4-generation picture taken in 1919.
Another inspiring headstone that I came across dates back to the 1600s. Mary Sheafe is possibly my 10x-great-grandmother. (It's hard to prove lineage that far back.) Her epitaph reads:
MARY SHEAFE (THE WIFE OF THOMAS SHEAFE WHO LIVED
TOGEATHER NEERE XLV YEARES & HAD ISSVE BETWEEN THEM
IX SONS, VI DAUGHTERS). SHE, A GRAVE & CHARITABLE MATRON
LIVED LXXIII YEARES OF AGE. NOVEMBER 1609.
I wonder how I'll be remembered? I doubt anyone would consider me to be a "grave and charitable matron." (Well, hopefully "charitable," but never "grave.") I'd love to be remembered as being a praying mother, though.
Enjoying the adventure,
~Karla Cook
Lifelong Learner
