Since I was a young girl, I have always loved strolling through pretty and peaceful cemeteries. My maternal grandparents, Charles and Josephine Stowell, used to have big holiday dinners and family gatherings as I was growing up. On Easter Sunday, 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas.... they were family celebrations my brother, sister and I very much looked forward to: lots of cousins to play with, lots of good food, lots of chatter and good cheer. Late in the afternoon on these days, my dear cousin (and now good friend) Melodie and I would go out for a walk. You know, to get out of the house for a while, stretch our legs and most importantly, to have a good girl-to-girl chat. But my grandparents lived in the middle of the country and were miles away from any village or populated area where one might walk down the sidewalks, looking at the houses or shop windows. Fortunately, Melodie and I did have two options: the old back road –or- the Hill Cemetery. We would take turns choosing which one, but the Hill Cemetery was always my favorite. Located on a high grassy knoll, right across the road from an abandoned, one-room brick school house, it was a small and simple graveyard with lovely country views from the top - and the perfect place for a stroll and a chat on a holiday afternoon. Far more interesting than the old back road because we could stop by the different graves, read the names and dates, compare tombstones, comment on family names we knew....
You may laugh and think “wow, strange habit!” However, over the years, I’ve met cemetery walkers in a number of countries and it seems we all like cemeteries for the same reason: a cemetery is almost always an island of peace and the perfect place for a relaxing walk. Especially when we need to get away from from our hectic day-to-day routine or from overcrowded touristy places when we are travelling.
And as for the cemetery occupants? Well, I think of them as the loved ones of the persons who live in the area. And for sure, they are all very pleased when you stop by for a visit.
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