HAVE YOU EVER GONE TO AN OLD CEMETERY?

There is something about old cemeteries that I find peaceful. I call them antique cemeteries. You know the ones. The ones where people died in the 1800's or early 1900's.

No, I'm not some crazy person who gets a kick out death or dying. I think it's the history and stories that are buried along with the person that gets my interest.

The old headstones are sometimes a tiny peek into their life. Some are pieces of art work. Some are just a marker to let you know someone is there. Some tell a story in and of themselves.

This is an old cemetery in Oceanside, CA. My brother, Gene, lives near here. He has lived in Oceanside for over 20 years and I have always wanted to stop and walk around here. So I finally did.

This woman was only 39 when she died. She was born in 1891 and died in 1930. She was born in Mexico. From her headstone you can tell she was a Christian woman. Notice how her whole grave is covered in concrete.

This is what a lot of people think the old headstones look like. Simple shape, the persons name, date of birth and date of death. We know she had children by the one word MOTHER.

When I first saw this one I thought it was the grave of a father and baby daughter. But if you look at the dates you see it can't be. The baby girl was not born until after the man died. So this must be grandfather and granddaughter. Sadly the baby girl only lived a month.

As I was walking around I noticed this grave had an empty bottle of Gin sitting near it. I wondered if someone had to come to share a drink with a friend or family member. Perhaps it was just someone walking through that threw the bottle out. Though I've never seen anyone here before and it is gated off so not likely someone would cut through here.

This large headstone tells us that the woman here was a wife. Either she was proud of that fact or maybe her husband was someone important back in 1903. Some headstones don't give us any clues. Just the last name of someone buried there.

This is the largest headstone at this cemetery. Perhaps this person came from money. Maybe he had high status in the community when he passed away.

Some people put pictures of their loved ones on the headstones.

This one tells us quite a bit about this lady. She was almost 83 years old. She was born in Cross Hill in Ireland on Halloween in 1839. She was married. The thing that caught my eye on this one was her last name was Martin and her husbands last name was Stoker. Strange that a woman back in those days didn't take her husbands last name.

Some of the headstones were pretty worn down. This one is over 126 years old. This man came to CA from VA in 1843. That must have been a dream that he was able to fulfill.

Some of the old headstones have a line or two of a favorite saying or prayer. Like on here it says "As I am so may you be, Prepare for Death and Follow me." This person was a Christian as can be see from the words SAVED.
Many of the headstones show proof of the person being proud of being in the Military.

Even today, putting the rank of the person while they were in the service is very common to do.

Thanks to these men and women we are free nation! God bless them.

Many people who are married choose to have one grave site where they are buried on top of each other. One deeper then the other. Like this husband and wife.

This one really touched me. These two women were Sisters. The year of there date is the same. No month is given though. I wonder if they died together and their husbands knew the bond they had through out life and let them rest for all eternity together?

The husbands were each buried on either side of the sisters.

This grave just says Mother. I wonder why. I wonder who this person was. I wonder when she died. Was she someone who was like a mother to everyone and that is why it just says Mother?

I don't know. What I do know is it made me think of my own Mother who died over 20 years ago. I still miss her today. I don't think one ever gets over losing a mother.

Some people have a family plot where they will all be buried together. I think this is lovely.

While most of the graves at these older cemeteries don't get many visitors some show signs someone was there. Like flowers that are left behind.

Was it a child who left these little toy cowboy and Indians here? I picture someone going to visit their Grandfather and bringing their own children to meet him.

It's nice to see some of these people may be gone but they are not forgotten.

Yes, I find comfort in walking around the places where people died over 100 years ago. That may be creepy to you. Maybe you like to go there too. I don't know.

There is something about the people who have been here before us and have taken that journey to the next life, that makes me wonder who they were, what their life was like back then and does anyone even remember them any more.

I guess that's why I like I like all things old. China, linens, houses, books and yes, even cemeteries.

Hugs,

Joanne