Every fall, I like to visit an old cemetery with the whole family. Fall is a natural time to ponder the brevity of life, as the garden is dying down, and the leaves are falling from the trees, livestock is being butchered, and the days are growing shorter and colder. Now that my children are older, we were able to have a great discussion about life and death as we walked through the pioneer cemetery.
14.Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. James 4:14 (NIV)
You could see gravestones of babies who lived a very short time, of husband and wife buried side by side having lived until old age, there were graves of people who died in their teen years, or in the middle of life. The point we expressed to our kids was that people can pass away at any age. Gary pointed out that lives are lived out in the dash between the year you are born and the year you die, and that we need to make the most out of our time. We discussed the importance of being passionate about life, and seeking out the Lord's will for our lives, and then doing those things.
15.Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, 16. making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Ephesians 5:15-17 (NIV)
Of course when surrounded by a bunch of tombstones, one cannot help but worry a bit about one's own death, it is nice to remember and be comforted by our eternal salvation, and belief in our Lord and savior Jesus.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 (NIV)
From a historical standpoint the cemetery was also fascinating, many of the names on the tombstones are names of major farms, and roads around our area. Also reading some of the older names where interesting, and thinking about what life was like in the 1800s.
I love these red and yellow barns, they look wonderful with the sun shining through the gray clouds.
The kids spotted this cow, and thought it looked like a Panda Bear, from the side it really did look like a Panda Cow!
The air was crisp and fresh, with a nice background smell of fall burn piles. We saw a few burn piles going.
After our drive and visit we went home for lunch and had a fun time watching a family movie. The movie is one of my favorites from when I was younger, Watcher in the Woods, I used to think this movie was so spooky as a child, and perfect for October. This movie was made by Disney in the early 80's and takes place in an British Manor and surrounding forest. I watch this movie with my family every year, and enjoy it every time. You can check it out at my Amazon affiliate link below.
During the movie I baked a batch of mini cupcakes to bring along to our Pumpkin Carving evening at church. I love mini cupcakes- easy to make enough for a crowd, and just the right size for a little treat.
We headed back to church, and had a fun evening of fellowship and pumpkin carving. All of the kids & teens were very creative, when all of the pumpkins were carved, they were lit, and looked great with the lights out.
Very nice ending to a wonderful Sunday. Have you visited a local cemetery this autumn? What is your favorite family friendly October movie?
P.S. There is still time to enter the Tasha Tudor Giveaway, which ends Thursday October 27th at midnight.
April,
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up. I really like this post. Life really IS lived between the date you're born and the date you die. We should all work harder to live more fulfilled, and cast off all the distractions we can get mired in. You're a great photographer. The pioneer cemetary and the panda bear were very photogenic too. Have a great week.
Heidi~ Thanks for stopping by! Yes, it is so easy to let distractions in life stop us from what we really need to be doing. Thanks for the kind comments- I enjoyed taking pictures of the cemetery, very nice grounds. :)
ReplyDeleteWe used to live next door to the cemetery and spent many evenings walking in it. It's kind of strange, but it was the time we learned the most about my mother, so I have happy memories connected to that old cemetery. She really opened up and talked about her past, looking at the headstones of her mother who died when she was a girl and her baby brother. I remember Watcher in the Woods. or I think I do. Wasn't Bette Davis is in it?
ReplyDeleteThat sounds nice Jane, walking through an old cemetery, and having a nice long talk with your Mom. I love it when I learn more about my Mom and Grandma's history. Yes, Watcher in the Woods did have Bette Davis in it, she plays her character very well. Hope you have a nice week :)
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing cemetery. I love the photos of the cows. We are fortunate enough to live right across from a cow pasture. They are so relaxing to watch.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I enjoy visiting old cemeteries, too. There's something about looking at old tombstones that gives perspective to the brevity of life. Wonderful photos!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog and for leaving such a sweet comment about our muffin recipes. :)
Many blessings, ~Lisa
Great to meet you! Love, Traci @ Ordinary Inspirations http://www.ordinaryinspirations.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteGreat pics!
Wow, the scenery is exactly the kind that soothes me. And I love to visit graveyards too, especially my grandparents' on a little hill (at the top of their once thriving tiny burough of maybe 400 people) back in PA. The town was once filled with neighbors who knew and depended on one another, of lives lived out simply but richly in faith and frugality. None of those once deep connections still exist back there, so the graveyard represents a bygone era in which my grandparents' entire lives were lived out. I get similar emotional stirrings from abandoned homes and/or "ghost" towns. Coming in from WLW blog.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Toni
http://www.wisewomenlovejesus.blogspot.com/
Thanks everyone for the wonderful comments! Toni, I agree, it is interesting thinking of these bygone eras, I also love old houses and barns and love to think of the once thriving farms that once were. Thanks everyone for stopping by!
ReplyDelete