In the Cemetery

Have you ever wandered through a cemetery? They are such quiet places; yet (oddly enough) they are full of life. Birds in the trees, squirrels; verdant green grass, especially sweet after the mower has gone by.

One of my favorite cemeteries in the Bay Area is Mountain View - in Oakland, California. You can take a virtual visit at their Web site: www.mountainviewcemetery.org/tour.html

What I'm addressing in this post is not the sculpture, or the squirrels; but the people - those consistent visitors to a particular grave, who come to tend, or just sit with their departed loved one.

I'd like to say that everyone comes to honor their loved ones, but many don't. Perhaps there's no one left alive to come to visit...that's always a possibility. And there are those who come only on a "special day" - the anniversary of the death; or a birthday...or a major holiday.

Whenever I visit any cemetery, I treat it as the sacred ground it is. I speak to the headstones of those who surround me - not expecting an answer, just sharing my humanity with them.

Now that I do hospice work, I've discovered that it is the same tone/content I speak when sitting with someone who is actively dying. You're not sure they can hear you (but you know they cannot respond); you merely reach across the distance of souls, and speak your truth. You honor them in doing so.

Visit a cemetery soon; the older the better. Walk among the stones. Take a picnic lunch, and sit under a tree. Spend some quality time with the dead.
They have much to give you.

Their greatest gift: that you could stand (or sit) awhile in a place of stark contrast between life and death. When you leave, you will take this with you; and it will energize your day, and bring gratitude, and appreciation for life.

Love, joy, and deep appreciation,

Kim

Three Deaths Strike a Chord

I live in a small town in the Santa Cruz mountains, and summertime brings the tourists. Traffic gets more challenging as there's greater congestion, and many wine festivals and summer barbecues where beer and hard liquor is consumed.

In the past two months, we've had three striking car-related fatalities. Nonsensical, tragic - and unexpected.

What I'd like to say is this: if you love someone, tell them. Each and every day, as often as you can. You never know if you'll see them again.

Treasure each day, even when it is full of strife or sorrow. You are alive. That's such a gift. Get a good night's sleep, after eating well, and I promise, tomorrow will be better!

Love to you all,

Kim