Friday, May 27, 2022

Thoughts From the Cemetary

Carl blew writer’s block from his path by literally walking around it; his brain worked best when it simply wandered.  That’s one thing he enjoyed so much about walking – that’s where inspiration poured out easily.  Freedom was as critical to his creative thinking as empathy, logic, and discipline. He just had to forge those thoughts into text.

This is why he decided to walk through a local graveyard for a fresh perspective.  As he strolled past acres of the deceased with whom he knew little about, some things occurred to him: simple yet complex thoughts, humble but powerful, life lessons.

His first thought drifted over some headstones – some large and ornate, others humbler, all costly.   The more said, the more expense, yet only the most significant information got engraved on them.  Words like mother, father, sister, brother.  He noted military service, relevant quotes, and short tributes.  Carl imagined the relationships those people built and the impact they made on others.

He saw nothing about the wealth they’d accumulated, bad choices they’d made, or political affiliations.  He saw only that which mattered and quickly grasped an idea that should’ve been obvious: the dates on each monument stated the beginning to the end.  What mattered most was the DASH between those years (i.e., 1928 - 2020).

Cemeteries are mostly of stone, dirt, and silence; not a lot of color or animation.  Occasionally, mourners left flowers, photos, or other mementos at the grave.  He spotted a colorful pinwheel planted in the dirt.

All were means of expressing love and care for the departed.  You either enter a gravesite to bring love … or nothing.  People don’t visit to spew hate, judgment, or negativity.  “Why can’t we enjoy a life that way,” he wondered, “only with love, compassion, and joy.”

A sober thought occurred to Carl as he continued walking.  Some of the headstone “born” and “departed” dates were sadly close together.  Running his fingers over the marker of a 2-year-old whose life was cut way too short, Carl said a brief prayer.

“Lord every day in this life is a gift, and each moment I spend spreading negativity is a moment irrevocably wasted.  Help me live my life for You, in fullness, with grace. There’s no time to wait!” 

Anxious to return to his writing tablet to recapture his reflections, one final thought surfaced.  No other species has a graveyard for their dead.

Perhaps there’s wisdom in that, in the art of letting go with a sense of love and peace, of accepting that body and soul pass on.  Graveyards need not be grave, yet can be a place to bring the joy of rebirth and renewal of the spirit as we wish our loved ones well on their onward voyage.

Almighty Father, may all those deceased, known to You alone, rejoice in Your kingdom, where all our tears are wiped away.  Unite us together again in one family to sing Your praise forever and ever.  Amen