Gone to flowers, everyone by myrrhluz
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Description
More shots from Bundick Cemetery.
In my last post,I talked about Graveyard Working. Until my move to New Jersey, when I was 11, it was a yearly happening in my life. My experiences were in a small cemetery deep in the pine woods of central Louisiana, called Big Creek Cemetery. What follows are my memories with also some input from my mom and sister,Gail.
Once a year on a Saturday in early June, we would pick up my grandmother and all go to Big Creek Cemetery for a good part of the day. For most of us, it was Graveyard celebrations with singing, and absolutely fabulous homemade cooking. At some time around dawn, Mary Barron, her twin daughters, and granddaughter (the twins were my first cousins, twice removed), would go out and do all the work. By the time everyone else arrived there was no "work" in the "Graveyard Working". Of course a lot of cooks had done work beforehand, and the blessings were liberally passed around. Every family brought enough to feed an army. There was blackberry cobbler! I love blackberry cobbler!
There is a church at the cemetery, though at this time it was only used on limited occasions. Everyone would go into the church and sing hymns. While there was not usually a service, I do have one memory of a young man giving a homily in which he made a joke. He was talking about how everyone always wanted to show their best side in photos. He then said "This is my best side" and turned around so that we saw the back of his head. I thought that this was so funny. Be charitable, I was only 10 years old.
There were huge, long stone tables in the churchyard. Each family group would have one table, though skipping around to see what was on offer at the other tables was definitely allowed. I can remember trying to see past people I didn't really know to see what was on their table, and scurrying back to the comfort of my own family group. Though, I imagine I was in someway related to almost everyone there. There were big ice chests full of bottled sodas. My sisters looked forward to this and would look for their favorite kind, because we did not get soda regularly at home. (I don't like soda.) Before anyone could start in on the great feast before us, there would be a blessing. One of the men there was a retired minister so he would be asked to give the blessing. And he prayed...and prayed...and prayed. Soon there were restless movements as the smell of the delicious food assaulted our senses and he continued to pray! Then a multitude of silent prayers went up, all wishing for the same thing.
When I was not eating, singing, or laughing at jokes, I would be walking around the graveyard, visiting familiar graves, usually with my sister, Leslie. There were the graves of two children who died of snakebite. These graves always made me sad, but of course I would search them out every year. They are probably the reason why Leslie and I always talked loudly to any possible snakes when walking on the grassy open areas near our house. There were two graves that had pictures of the persons buried in them. One of a young man and another of a young woman. And the graves of my relatives, including the two graves of my great, great grandparents each with a heart at the top of the gravestone and the words, "Gone But Not Forgotten" We would read the gravestones, balance on curbs around family groupings, and run and jump on the big stone tables. (After all the food had been cleared. To do so while the ladies were setting things up would have been a very bad idea.)
When I think of graveyard working it is like opening a window into my childhood. It is a look into the time before my move to New Jersey, which was a defining point in my life. A time of hazy memories, peopled with many who are no longer here. They are a part of me, in large and small ways, and a part of who I am today. I am grateful for them and for their presence in my life. (And for all that blackberry cobbler!) For those who have read through to this point, many thanks.
Comments (33)
myrrhluz
Thanks for viewing and for previous comments and favs! I am making my way through the galleries in my own, slow fashion. I will be gone for Thanksgiving (visiting my mom and seeing family) for the next week, but hope to still be around some.
fallen21
Awesome collage & shtos.
MagikUnicorn
Magnificent collage :)
jocko500
wonderful story of life here. wonderful images too. make me feel happy here
flavia49
marvelous image! wonderful collage and beautiful memories. Thanks for sharing!
Minda
beautiful collage and wonderful memories lucinda..
danapommet
Beautiful collage and excellent individual photos that could all stand alone.
magnus073
Lucinda, this is without a doubt the most moving dedication I've ever had the pleasure to see. Your beautiful captures really say it all as they show the signs of color and life springing up as a display of love to those we have lost. Hope you don't mind but I'm going to print out your memories of the experiences your family had at the Graveyard all those years ago. This honestly left me choked up reading it, and going with you on this journey back to a simpler time that seems so perfect. Thank you so much for giving me the biggest smiles I've had in some time :)
charpix
Beautiful collage, and beautiful story.
jayfar
Very beautiful Lucinda and a lovely story.
wysiwig
First off, the yellow flower in the upper left of your most excellent collage has the most beautiful markings. Second, very touching memories, sad and funny. I can imagine the effect on you when you moved to New Jersey. My family lived in California. Everyone else lived in New York so my extended family experiences cosisted of birthday cards and the occasional phone call. Thankyou for sharing with us.
durleybeachbum
Fascinating, Lucinda! Thankyou for this glimpse into what is really a different culture. The flowers are wonderfully colourful and free: as I remarked on an earlier pic of yours our council will never bring themselves to allow such a riot of happiness! Some churchyard cemeteries, however, are wildflower reserves, and there is a Dorset competion annually for the best.
helanker
How sweet memories you have, Lucinda. I was very touched reading this about your beautiful yearly visit to the graveyard and all the cleaning and making a picnic out of it in the end. Thank you for sharing this and for sharing this wonderful collage too. Wish you a great thankgiving with your family. :-D
dakotabluemoon
I love the way u put this together with the different flowers in it very cool work.
dragonmuse
Too touching and beautiful for words.
clbsmiley
Such nice little flowers! Have a great holiday with family. :)
emmecielle
Lovely memories and splendid flowers! have a wonderful days with your family! :)
drifterlee
Very beautiful shots and flowers!!!!!
vaggabondd
very nice colage my friend :)
jendellas
Wonderful memories, I have never had Blackberry cobbler, it souinds so scrummy!!!
sandra46
WONDERFUL COLLAGE, MY FRIEND
goodoleboy
Beautiful clarity and color in this collage, Lucinda, particularly the fotos that run along the left and bottom of the presentation.
mgtcs
Ohhh.....what a beautiful photo Lucinda, the colors are amazing, a truly happy and enchanting picture, thank you for sharing!
mariogiannecchini
Wonderful collage ! Beautiful flowers and colors ! Wonderful memories ! Have a happy week , Lucinda !
anianiani
Thanku ...I loved it..excellent
blondeblurr
These wildflowers are so befitting to match your story, which in fact is not really a story, but the narrative writing of an actual account of days gone by and so enjoyable to read ... thanks for sharing your childhood memories here with us, Lucinda BB
dochtersions
Thank you so much for sharing, each word is so valuable, dear friend. The photo's are an extra bonus in absolute delightful colors, as they are a great capture by your eyes and heart.
KatesFriend
A very lovely story Lucinda. We do not have any such traditions her in Canada. Though, my mother will take the time to visit my fathers grave every week or so. Mostly to give him hell for dying first - so she says. I love the colourful flowers in your montage. It reminds me that new life will always come from death and there is renewal for all things.
jarmila
so beaurtiful this collage, full of nice flowers and colors,ciao
npauling
A beautiful collage with all these bright cheery flowers. I loved hearing about your childhood trips to the cemetary and what a great day it was for you all. It is always great to look back on those memories.