Morning walks

An overall view of just a portion of the  Old Magnolia cemetery. If you look real close in the background, you can Weatherford's home. We have our walk figured out to 2 miles.

We decided we better get some exercise so we decided to go for a walk each morning.  Bro. Weatherford told us to walk over at his neighbors - they are very quiet and don't bother anybody.  So, we decided he was right - they are very good neighbors. We really enjoy it there. It’s very peaceful in the Old Magnolia Cemetery. It's a good time for us to visit, plan the day, and just enjoy the spirit that you feel in places like this.  It seems a little strange to watch bushes bloom in November, even when there is frost on the ground or ice on your car window that morning.  There’s a camillia bush that was in bud when we first came, and over the past month, one by one, they blossomed.  Now the pedals are falling off and there are still buds waiting to open up. The leaves on the trees beside them have turned and are starting to fall.

Camillia bush with intertwined with 2 other trees.

 

Camillia flower close up.



We love to read the names, try to decipher their relationships and wonder about their story. In the south, most cemeteries have family plots designated by concrete outlines, rocks, etc. 

We go walking in the mornings for our exercise.  It was suggested that we walk at Weatherford’s neighbors.  He says they won’t mind, they’re very quiet and don’t bother anyone.    It’s a great time to talk, plan, and just think.  It’s interesting how much it changes so quickly.  There’s a camillia bush that was in bud when we first came, and over the past month, one by one, they blossomed.  Now the pedals are falling off and there are still buds waiting to open up. The leaves on the trees beside them have turned and are starting to fall.

We have also noticed that the grave decorations change often. We’ve watched people come and just sit and meditate. Some graves are visited daily. The tent from the mortuary stays up, covering the flower sprays and the grave, for about two weeks. It’s nice to know they are not forgotten. Since I am posting this a month later, we noticed that December is a month of remembrance.  There are a lot of wreaths, poinsettias, garlands, etc. On Christmas day it was very busy, cars going through all day long. We’re wondering if Memorial Day can be any better.

There are many small family cemeteries everywhere and they are well taken care of. Elder Lovell told Sister Woodard about the “Find a Grave” site. He then talked about her Dad’s grave which is in the Freeman Cemetery. We discovered it was in their back yard and contained 3 family graves. It is now registered on the site. On one of our p-days we’ll have to go check out some of the other little ones.