He will swallow up death forever.
The Sovereign Lord will wipe away
the tears from all faces....
-Isaiah 25:8
I made a recent visit to Law's Chapel, the cemetery where my family - for generations - has been buried. I had to check on my Grandfather's grave, jab my toe in the dirt, tell him how things are going. Things are finally looking up, Grandad, I said. I got an oil and gas job last week. There's some travel involved. My life seems to be getting some of its old rhythm back. It's such a relief.
Around me, a chilly wind stirred up a tornado of leaves. I hunched my shoulders and shoved my hands in my pockets.
Quarterback Jack's grave isn't far from the ancient Magnolia tree, the one with dozens of Civil War -era graves beneath. Slaves and soldiers sleep alongside each other; markers tell their stories... or say nothing at all, which in itself tells their stories. What is it about old graveyards? Their mystery and romance are haunting.Yep, cemeteries don't bother me the way they do some folks. Death isn't forever, it's been swallowed up. And tears, I'm learning, aren't forever either.
I tell my Grandfather this and feel, somehow, he understands. ...
24 comments:
Congratulations on the job and getting the 'old rhythm' back. I wish you the best.
Congrats on the new job! Thanks for including us as you remember your Grandfather
I love cemeteries. I love to read about people's lives on the etchings of headstones and contemplate life. They are quiet and a good place to pray. :) The fact that yours has amazing trees makes it that much better!
I'm so glad you got a job in your field...and you do like to travel, don't you?
Bet Grandpa was glad to hear all this!
My dad who is 77 yrs. old loves to visit cemeteries and sometimes I go with him. I love finding the ancestors. Praise God for the new job and getting the "old rhythm" back...hope that all goes well. will be thinking of you and praying for you Brin. You deserve this 2nd chance.
Hey Brin, one of my favorite bloggers posted today about his grandpa as you have. I hope you'll check him out, you two have some things in common. No, I am not playing match maker, I swear.
http://growingupold.wordpress.com/2009/10/15/the-plight-of-the-english-major/
I don't think people understand the deep attraction to a cemetery until someone they love has moved there. I feel the same way you do. I could spend hours just looking around; maybe I'm just weird like that!
Keep us posted on the new job. I hope things work well for you with it. You've been down a tough road.
Glad you found a new job Brin. And grandpa Jack is smiling too. God bless sweetie.
So very glad to hear about the job!! As usual, loving your writing and the way you share your life.
I love old cemeteries too, and all the stories they could tell. I'm so happy for you landing a new job in your old field....this year is coming to a close, soon. Hang on!
I used to go and sit by my dad's grave and talk to him, tell him about my life. They were always emotional moments, but I felt so much better after sharing my life with him. I would leave pictures and little objects that were special to me. I know the grounds cleaners ended up with them, but it was like he had them. Don't know why. Now that I live 4 states away, I miss those moments. It will be 12 years next month. It's still hard, but the peace is there.
oh man, glad to hear about your new job...Just wonderful..
hugs,
Yay! I'm so glad for your new job:>) Congratulations Brin. I think cemeteries have a certain beauty.
Such a nice visit. I love cemetaries, too. My family is buried in the same plot as well. I might be the first not buried there.
Congratulations on your oil job! It sounds interesting!
Woohoo Brin. Glad to hear some good news from your corner of the planet!
May the windows of heaven open and dump out on you girl!
ooooh! a new job with a familiar rhythm...how nice. I am anxious to hear how it feeds your soul.
I too find peace in cemeteries...a threshold of sorts to my loved ones eternity. I especially like quieting the noise of the outside and taking time to listen to my heart...and walking among the headstones is a journey all it's own.
Oh Brin that is good news. Rays of light, breath of life, hope in the horizon.
Having grown up in a cemetery, I know that sounds funny. My grandpa and Dad both worked at the same one for years. I remember helping them on days when the flags for the soliders would have to be out on each one, and I would help put them out, the stone walls that my grandpa help build with stars in them. The rose garden that they planted and kept for years.
Great place to pray.
congrats on the new job!
And I have no doubt that he's just waiting for our arrival. Have you read "90 minutes in Heaven?" You should. I thought it would be hokey, but I checked out the author thoroughly first, and he's theology is nothing but Biblical, so I trusted it enough to see what I thought, and I loved it. It was very touching and very assuring.
Love you, and can't wait to see you in just around 2 months now!!
Sara- the Steed fellow that prays for Piper as he's dying...he's my Grandad's cousin and preached his funeral! The story, as I understand it, is as legit as any such story can be. And don't ya love the way he describes music in heaven? :)
I'm counting the days!
B
I enjoy your blog Brin, you speak from the soul....
oh brin, congratulations on the new job!
good luck xx
Amen, Brin. And I've always thought that it would be very peaceful to live next to a cemetary.
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