As a fellow graveyard walker, cemeteries for me have always been a place of comfort. A visit to a cemetery or memorial park can be a time of healing, reflection, catharsis, sharing memories, saying prayers, saying goodbye, or simply a ritual of remembrance. It can be a time of sadness, reflections, sorrow, love, pain or even joy. In each family there is one who seems called to find the ancestors. To put flesh on their bones and make them live again. To tell the family story and to feel that somehow, they know and approve. I walk the cemeteries that others won't.

Cemetery walking is not a cold gathering of facts; but instead, breathing life into all who have gone before. We are the story tellers of the tribe. All tribes have one. We have been called, as it were, by our genes. "When an old person dies, it's like a library burning down." -Alex Haley. Those who have gone before crying out to us: Tell our story.

Why do I leave flowers? Legend has it, flowers on a grave is a sign of respect. Flowers are considered a symbol of beauty and tenderness and by placing flowers on the grave you show love and appreciation for the deceased.
As for transfers, if I am managing a memorial that you would like transferred to you .... just let me know! Memorials should be with loved ones whether they are related or not. All I ask, if transferred, is that you did not request the transfer just to trash the memorial. Now is not the time to vent an old enemy or maybe an ex.

No one should EVER be forgotten. What goes around comes around. Live, love, laugh. Tomorrow may not be there for you but today is!

I am a member of The Houston County Historical Commission. Brenda Flasowski
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