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August 22, 2004
Saint John's Cemetery
Today was an interesting day. Today at work one of my coworkers had a lady come in to cut her hair. At the same time I thought that as long as she was there cutting hair that I’d have mine done too. It was a coincident that I needed mine cut and convenient that I could get it done right there without going to a barber or stylist.
As I was riding home on my bike today I rode by an old cemetery The last two times I’ve ridden by this cemetery I’ve noticed the name on the sign: Saint John’s Cemetery, Established 1888. Today I thought, “Wow, that’s old! There could not have been much around it in 1888 out in Apple Valley!”
When I got home I tried to do a little research on the internet about this cemetery but after a half an hour I gave up.
During my search though, I found other more recent cemeteries in the area and most of them had alphabetical listings of every person who was buried there and the birth and death years as shown on the grave markers.
1888 seems like a long time ago and a lot of things have changed around that cemetery since it’s first burial. Apple Valley developed around it, farther than the eye could see. There are no rural farms in this area of town. They’ve all been replaced by town homes. But at the same time, I can’t help but feel that the past 116 years has gone by quickly and in the grand scheme of our universe is just a flash in time.
This cemetery may no longer be accepting deposits, but the cycle of life and death continues.
Some day I’ll die also and maybe I’ll hang out by that cemetery and draw some cyclist’s attention to the sign that reads, “Saint John’s Cemetery, Established 1888.” What I will hope for is that the person will reflect on it a while and think about all of the people who have come and gone. I would hope that the person will be thankful for their life and understand with peace that this process of life and death has been going on since living things came into being on this planet.
Yesterday our neighbors across the street had one of their parents pass away. When I saw my Dad and Mom and Aunts and Uncles last night at the Saints game, I was thankful that they were still around. It’s nice to share life with those you love. But I also saw the next two generations at the same gathering. The youngest one’s were all growing so quickly! This is the process we all go through. It’s a natural process and I am thankful that I’ve had the opportunity to be part of it.
There is a certain peace that comes to us while living when we accept that we are part of that process. It releases fear. It releases us from our bondage to this life and helps us be thankful for every moment we have.
Posted by carl1236 at August 22, 2004 09:55 PM