Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Tokens of Love and Canada Geese...

It is so apparent on my walks through the cemetery that loved ones may be gone, but they are certainly not forgotten.

If family members live nearby, it's not unusual to see grave sites decorated for fall.

You might find potted mums of hot pink...

... yellow...

... or red and orange.

In other spots, fall perennials pop up...

... adding beautiful color...

... to the graves they adorn.

There are ornamental grasses...

... autumn flags...

... and mini pumpkins...

... on some of the graves.

Yes, it's very clear that our loved ones are not far from our thoughts, whether we are close enough to visit and decorate their graves... 

... or whether we hold and cherish them in our hearts from miles away.

That's probably one of the many reasons I enjoy walking the cemetery so much.
You can feel the love. It exists in the newer sections where loved ones have recently been laid to rest and in old sections, where the gravestones record past decades, even centuries. It is felt by the graves visited daily and by those whose loved ones are not able to visit. Love knows no distance or boundaries; it transcends miles and years, and it can be felt as strongly as the warm sun or, more recently, the chilly air, when I take my walks.

And these guys are one of the reasons I enjoy my early morning walks. 
That's most often when I find the Canada geese there.

I always stay back a distance from them because I don't want to disturb them.

This was taken on a different morning, when it was quite foggy.

I fiddled around with the zoom on my camera and the contrast in editing this photo to make the geese more visible.

Just a couple of videos taken...

...of the geese flying (sometimes right over me)...

while visiting the cemetery.

This photo was taken in early October before most of the trees started changing. On this particular day, when I got into my car to head home, there was one perfect autumn leaf resting on the windshield. Not caught in the wipers or anything, just laying on the windshield. My mom's favorite season was fall. It made me think of her, of course. Perhaps that was the plan all along :)

Have a beautiful week, everyone!

Donna

11 comments:

Brenda Pruitt said...

What a beautiful post, Donna! I need to find a cemetery out in the country I can walk around. That probably sounds crazy. But I enjoy walking through and seeing the very old graves and wondering about the people in that time. It is one place you can go where there often are no cell phones (hate cell phones for their interruptions). It is quiet and you can think.
Brenda

Patty Rumaker said...

Well this made me sad beyond belief. You see I can't go visit the graves of my family members. I live in Dallas, TX and the graves are in Maryland. But I don't for a second think I need to go to a grave to feel a connection with them - they are here in my heart. Nevertheless I do wish I could visit their graves.
Patty at Home and Lifestyle Design

Stacey said...

What a beautiful place. The trees are huge!

NanaDiana said...

I love those beautiful old graveyards. I grew up next to one and have never been bothered by them at all- xo Diana

Susan said...

Hi Donna....Loved the photos and your videos. I could hear those geese! Thanks for the walk.

I usually don't walk in the cemetery. It makes me sad. Guess I've never really cared for cemeteries. Everyone is different.

It's nice to see people plant flowers, etc., though.

Hope you have a good week, too. Susan

Barb said...

Wonderful pictures and thoughts!

Catsngrams said...

That is my favorite place to walk also. I feel so peaceful there. It is always such a beautiful place and yes they are watching us visit them and they smile, that we remember.

BECKY said...

Hi Donna! What lovely photos! Thank you for sharing with us!

Marina in Blue said...

I've just met you through pinterest, a great job. A new follower from Jerez Spain

http://marinainblue.blogspot.com.es/

Donna said...

These are lovely photos, Donna, and I really like how you framed the compositions with flowers. The one with the sedum and the Virgin Mary - especially touching.

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

Donna what a beautiful post ....