We cling to the enduring strength of stone to fight the fear of being forgotten.
So please take a moment to remember:
John Wiand 1822-1904, Lydia Wiand 1830-1868, and their child, age 3 years 3 months and 5 days (mostly unreadable).
A quiet spot
For a family of three
They joined their child
In the shade of a tree.
(Forks of the Brandywine Presbyterian Church, West Brandywine Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania)
**This post is the first in the Remembrance Series, where I will offer a moment of reflection to those whom time may have erased. The Cemetery Symbolism series will also be continuing.**
jason,
ReplyDeleteWhen I walk through a cemetery I’m always drawn to the oldest headstones. There are a few around here dating as far back as the latter part of the eighteenth century. I wonder about the cause of death. Was it something other than natural causes of old age? Could it have been an accident,or something that now would be easily treatable like an appendicitis, gall bladder disease, e.t.c.
I wonder if anyone else does this, or is it just a quirk of mine?
Jason, the way you alternate rich prose pieces with simplicity is most satisfying. The photography is beautiful,depth beyond the words.
ReplyDeleteI'm the same way as Jeff with the oldest stones. Then I think of the people that stood right where I am, mourning their loss... or sometimes, I wonder if anyone came at all. I think of what their life may have been like; mainly that they were once just as real as I am now.
ReplyDeleteMaybe when my time comes, there will be someone like you to remind the world that I was here. This was really beautiful and I look forward to seeing more.
Jeff, I've wondered about the same things. What really strikes me is how much more we (people) were at the mercy of disease. Death came calling more often.
ReplyDeleteBernita, I like the variety too. The photography was an accident. When I decided to start a blog, that angle wasn't on my mind. It started when I used some of my pictures to spark ideas for posts. Now, I'm taking pictures with the blog in mind!
Livewire, Maybe when my time comes, there will be someone like you to remind the world that I was here. That sentiment meant a lot to me. Thank you.
Such a beautiful tribute to a family...
ReplyDeletelovely photo.
ReplyDeleteIt reminds me of an abandoned graveyard I found in Maine once. Just a few gravestones from the mid-1880s (all from the same family, I think) and a lot of tall weeds. I dream about that place occasionally.
Lovely. I'm avid for the oldest headstones, too, for the stories held in just those dates, whatever words they or their survivors chose to carve into the stones...
ReplyDeleteJane, thank you. I wonder what it must have been like for John. First to lose his child, then Lydia at the age of 38. He must have stood in the same spot and mourned, part of him wanting to be down there with them.
ReplyDeleteKate, welcome. I certainly understand how a place like the abandoned cemetery you found can weave itself into your dreams.
CB, yes, so many stories. I will do my best to tell the ones which, for whatever reason, reach out to me.
Hey J,
ReplyDeleteI came here to follow the second part of Footsteps and saw the pic in your post and right away I was eager to read the whole thing and find out what this is all about…
I don’t know if it’s only me or not, but I find the image with those tombstones lined up beside each other quite romantic. Knowing that it belongs to a family of three.
Cheers :)
Beautiful tribute. My prayers are with them.
ReplyDeleteFarzad, welcome! I'm going to admit something. Having a new commenter (you) say that you were coming to see the second installment of "Footsteps" spurred me to write it. I was avoiding it some, because for me the story is a difficult construct. Once I nailed down the beginning of the new part, however, it started flowing well. Thanks for prodding me!
ReplyDelete.:A:., somewhere, in some context, I hope the Wiands are smiling.
Jason,
ReplyDeleteI love that you're doing this. Love it, love it.
There is always time in the day to remember someone or something. Equanimity.
ReplyDeleteKara, I've been pleasantly surprised by the reaction to this post (and series). Thanks for letting me know you appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteMermaid, how are you? Hope all are doing well. ;)
I'm great. She's not here yet, but soon...I can feel it.
ReplyDeleteOops! Sorry Kira! I meant "Kira" not "Kara" in my last post.
ReplyDelete