Some Gave All and Photojourney of a Victorian Cemetery

This Memorial Day we thank those who served in defending our freedom and the freedom of strangers.  Whether at home or in foreign lands, giving everything they had, they left an indelible mark on history.  No amount of thanks is sufficient, but in recognizing their sacrifice, we hope to hold them in the highest esteem.


Yesterday I took a drive of about 15 miles or so in one direction, then came back home a different route.  All along the way, US flags were waving in the cool air with the sun shining brightly.  Flags on lamp posts, in garden pots, from poles, on doorways, and more.



There is a cemetery that I've wanted to stop in since moving here.  I know, it may sound strange, but this cemetery is set on rolling hills with large trees and many unique and touching monuments.

So with Lucy in the back seat I turned in the gate, leaving the red brick road behind, to find myself very near this statue.   It's extremely tall and the face of the soldier so very lifelike.  The eagles are perched towards the bottom.

Very slowly I drove on a narrow one way road up and down the hills, through various parts of the cemetery.  I was taken aback by all of the crypts and mausoleums.  The birds were flying from tree to tree, singing their hearts out and there were flowering shrubs and ferns planted around the headstones.  All in all it was a strange and beautiful scene.

The sun was so bright that after taking a picture and looking at the screen, I could not tell whether I got the picture or not.  Maybe I will go back another time on a cloudy day, maybe not, it's unnerving being there.

Here are some of the pictures I was able to get.  A few I was able to get out of the car and walk to get closer, the others were taken from the driver's seat.  Click on the images to see them larger.

This monument with the woman holding onto the cross caught my attention as I was on my way out of the cemetery.

I saw about a half dozen crypts built into the hillside.

This crypt had a grand staircase.  Wondering the meaning behind their choice for this design.                

The mausoleums scattered around the space looked like little "follies" or extravagant playhouses.  These were probably built in the Victorian era.

 


I drove two times around to get the photo of this mausoleum --->

Set back from the road, the shadows from the trees reminded me of a little church from one of Jane Austen's books or something from Masterpiece Theatre.   It made me want to get out of the car and go inside, but then I knew it wasn't something I would really want to do.








From reading a few of the headstones, I could see this was a resting place for people of all faiths.  If we could all get along and abide together in life, Memorial Days could be ancient history. Otherwise our next door neighbor in death may just be a believer in a faith we don't accept or tolerate and what can you do about that? Despite all our differences whether we are fighting for the oppressed, over boundaries or religion...life is precious in all stages.

God Bless and have a safe and loving holiday.  ♥