Benjamin Franklin was the one who gave us this quote when he said, “Our new Constitution is now established, everything seems to promise it will be durable; but, in this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.”
We don't like to talk about death. This surprises me because death is something we are all going to experience. Yet, we get fearful when the topic comes up. So we push it aside. When my four-year-old son Daniel died, people were far from engaged when I told them about him.
I didn't want to have a reason to visit the cemetery where Daniel is buried. But over time, that changed. Over the decades, I've grown to see the beauty of the flowers, oaks, birds, and even geese, and experience the peace that is present. There's much to observe about cemeteries. Here are some of the things I've observed.
The cemetery teaches us not only about death, but about life. We realize life is short and unpredictable. How do we choose to live this life?
The cemetery is reality. We will die one day. We don't know the day or time. We've lost loved ones over the years. What have they taught us? How would they want to be remembered?
The cemetery has messages to glean on the tombstones. One of my favorite tombstones is where a man named Solomon is buried. The words inscribed on his stone are from 2 Timothy 4:7: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
The cemetery emphasizes calm and quiet. The dead don't speak. You can walk and even pray at your own pace and be in silence. No one will interupt you.
The cemetery gives inspiration. My family spent much time on the grassy lawns having picnics and tossing the Frisbee. Being there helped me write my grief and loss memoir, Life at Daniel's Place.
Don't be afraid to walk among the dead. Bring your notebook and pen. Stay a while, observe, breathe deeply, and learn.
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