My sweet Dad and I at Georgia National Cemetery this past Sunday visiting Mom’s grave
I’ve always loved cemeteries. Their quiet. Their shadows. Their reminder of the brevity of this life.
This past Sunday, my Dad, his wife, Esta, and my daughter Kelsey and I visited Georgia National Cemetery in Canton where my mom’s earthly body is buried.
I know we often say where “so and so is buried” when we refer to someone’s grave. But the clearer heaven becomes to me from studying God’s Word—and the closer I get to my forever home (which is code for getting old)—I’m more aware of how I view things in this life. And in the next. And while that’s where we buried Mom’s body, Mom certainly isn’t there.
And I’m so grateful.
Hard to believe five years have passed already. I’m even more grateful for her now than I was then.
Dad chose “My Best Friend” because that’s what he and Mom were after 56+ years. That, and much more.
As I usually do when given time to wander cemeteries, I studied the graves, noting names and dates, the lifespan of the departed, and their epitaphs. Some tugged at my heartstrings while others made me smile big time.
Here are just a few…
“I fought a good fight.” What poignant, eternal words.
Is there a more precious thought?
The words to the song flood the mind, don’t they?
And lastly, a favorite…
What a great sense of humor. In a cemetery, no less.
And why shouldn’t there be humor there? As I commented to Dad on Sunday, the Georgia National Cemetery, situated high on a Georgia mountain top, feels like a stepping stone to heaven. And it is, for those who’ve trusted Christ.
Seeing those epitaphs got me to wondering…
What would I want written on my gravestone? “I told you I was sick!” is what James Dobson always kidded about his mother requesting. Again, that humor.
If I had to choose right this moment, I think I’d choose “Finally enjoying a heavenly body.” LOL. Or perhaps what would be better, “Swallowed up by life,” taken from II Corinthians 5:4 which is nestled in a favorite passage of mine.
“While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life.”
What brief epitaph would you choose today? A personal question, I know, and certainly a thought-provoking one. But I’d love to know. Now if only we were strolling through a cemetery for ambiance… Do you love cemeteries too?
Tammy
P.S. Note on the featured picture in the header… That’s the last picture Mom and I had taken together. We were on a family cruise just a handful of weeks before she passed. What a fabulous time we had!
Editor Cam
With Karen Schurrer, my Bethany House editor, who visited Nashville last weekend with her husband, Jeff. Love them both. The four of us (husbands included) met for brunch one morning at the Egg & I.
Tamera Alexander
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Beautiful picture of you and your mom Tamera, you look so much a like. Your article has me missing my mom today too. She went on on ahead to be with Jesus in March of 2001, I still miss her like crazy but I know she is safe in the arms of Jesus and I know that’s what she looked forward to all her life. Not sure what I’d put on my own grave stone, that may be for others to work through, but when deciding on my moms, I knew exactly what would do her honor. We put,
Lover of God and family, Her children call her blessed
from the virtuous women of Proverbs, it really says it all about her life. I hope my tribute comes somewhere close to hers.
Thanks for the walk through the cememtery, always an interesting walk!
Well said, Tracey, and I love that verse. I look forward to meeting your precious mom when we all get home. Blessings, friend.
Beautiful post. Thought provoking indeed. I will have to think on this one. I once read what is on Ruth Bell Graham’s…”End of construction-thank you for your patience.” I so admired her. What a legacy.
Life is brief. Thank you for the reminder.
Blessings
A lovely picture of you and your sweet mother.
Thank you for sharing that about Ruth’s gravestone, Gail. I hadn’t heard that…and love it! Cemeteries prompt thoughts of legacies, don’t they? Blessings on your Tuesday.
One of my favorite epitaphs because it says a lot about the person’s faith: “Born to die, August 4, 1840. Died to live May 30, 1878.”
LOVE that, Virginia! So powerful. Thanks for sharing.
You and your mom look so much alike! You can see her inner beauty in her face.
It’s so poignant to look at grave stones, isn’t it? I love the ‘It is well with my soul’ epitaph. I’d pick that one!
Your comment felt like a hug, Becky. Thanks, sweet friend.
I’ve always loved that pic of you and your mom. And what a sweet one with your dad. I know you are treasuring every moment with him.
My family has never done epitaphs. Even my ancestors always just put the name and the dates. Just thinking off the top of my head, I think I’d probably put “Finally Home.”
Love that, Linda. And so true. That day will be here before we know it. So glad our together forever has only begun.
Your post made me tear up. We have a friend who loved softball. Her epitaph says “playing ball with Jesus.”
I haven’t really thought about what mine will say. I hope it will say something about loving God, my husband, and my family 🙂
Oh, love that, Catherine. Thanks for sharing. And I’m loving those pics of Connor. So adorable! Are you loving being a mommy? Sure looks like it. ; )
Dearest Tammy!
I love that photo of you and and your precious Mum… what a beautiful picture showing the love you have for each other. You are both incredibly alike and I see it with you and Kelsey too.:)
I do like wandering through cemeteries and looking at the headstones, especially those in the church yards that we see on our tours which are so full of history…also the war cemeteries, are always very thought provoking!
I have never really thought about the words for my epitaph, but one of the orchestral pieces that I really love and would like it played at my Funeral Service, is Mark Knopfler’s, “Going Home.” Perhaps the simple words “Going Home” would say it all!
Take care Tam…Thinking of you and your Family….. Cyber Hugs coming your way.:)
Love
Rosie.
Going Home… So good, Rosie. Thanks for sharing, friend. And I love that song!
Thank you for this touching and interesting post, Tamera!! You look so much like your pretty mom!!
Cemeteries hold a wealth of info and history – I love viewing the epitaphs, also.
Not sure what I would want as my epitaph, possibly something as simple as “Blessed”!!
Hugs!!
Post Shared!!
Hugs to you, Bonnie, and I love “Blessed!” So true!
A beautiful post, Tammy. I’m so glad I got to meet your mom before she went Home. She was a beautiful woman, inside and out.
As for epitaphs, my sisters and I recently visited the cemetery where our middle sister is buried. (Kim was killed in a car accident when she was a 21-year-old newlywed.) Her gravestone reads: “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” Psalm 116:15 It’s a beautiful thought. (But I really like Bonnie’s simple one-word epitaph, too: BLESSED.)
I’ve always loved that verse, Deb. Strange as it sounds to the world. So glad we’re in this together, dear friend. And for the long haul! ; )
Hi Tamera! I, too, love cemeteries. They are peaceful, beautiful and cause my imagination to run wild with all the made up stories in my head of the people buried there. It’s almost as much fun as when I used to go people watching in the airports, parks, the mall, etc! Weird, I know…but what better way to get the creative juices – and future novels – flowing! I plan on being cremated so I’ve never thought about what my headstone would say, but upon thinking about it, if I were to change my mind and get a headstone, I think I might put the title of one of the songs I want played at the service I plan on having: Al Denson’s “See You At the Party!” I have wanted that song since it came out when I was in Jr High. I believe it fits what we’re going to get to experience when we meet out Heavenly Father one day, don’t you?!
Agreed on the cemeteries, Kristen. I feel the same. And oh yes on that party! What a celebration there will be! Thanks for sharing.
I spend a lot of time visiting cemeteries, especially the one across from my office. It’s my job. I work with families to choose the right memorial. We have a lot of epitaphs on our website. If anyone is interested, check Words of Comfort section by visiting http://www.troost.com, and it will bring up verses from the bible, classic ones, popular ones, etc.
But as I was thinking about one sentence to put for myself, it would be The Lord is My Shepherd. Like a sheep I get lost at times but always find my way home. 🙂
How precious, Anna. Both your job and your comment. Love The Lord is My Shepherd. I always think of that verse that says “…and his sheep know his name.” And that “…he calls his sheep by name.” Always gives me pause. And makes me grateful.
Sadly, our coworker died last week. He was in his 40s. Such a shock to all of us who knew him. He just came back from vacation but didn’t make it to work. He died in his sleep.
He was so happy and had so much energy. It’s hard to believe he’s gone. We’re all in denial and can’t accept his loss. I get goose bumps whenever I think of him or see his name come up. He loved his work, people around him, and loved life. In a way I’m at peace he lived happily and spent time with people he loved the most just before he died.
I’m sad for life ended short here with us and his family left behind.
Praying for you, Anna, and for your coworkers and the family. Untimely deaths come with their own special heartache. At least with a prolonged illness there’s time to say goodbye. Even though that doesn’t make the “goodbye” any easier to bear, I realize. That loved one is still forever gone from this earthly realm. This reminds me how important it is to live with everything said. Thanks for sharing, friend. You’re loved.
What a special post, Tammy. LOVE that photo of you and your sweet Mom, and I’m so very thankful you all had that wonderful trip together before she went to Heaven.
I’ve always enjoyed visiting cemeteries too—so peaceful (there’s a lovely Magnolia tree planted not far from where my precious Parents are buried, and lots of other trees nearby, so I enjoy hearing the birds and smelling the Magnolias when they’re in bloom). And knowing that my Parents are both residing in Heaven now keeps the cemetery visits from being filled with grief (although I do still miss them terribly).
The Christ Church cemetery on St. Simon’s Island is a fascinating one to visit—some very, very old and interesting headstones there.
My oldest sister has teased me and told our family that on my headstone under the dates, it should simply say: I’m Sorry.
For years my sisters and my closest friends have teased (and sweetly admonished) me about my tendency to apologize for almost everything—whether something is my fault or not, I will usually offer an apology (it’s something I’m working on, now that they’ve made me so aware of it, LOL). Anyway, we’ve had some laughs over my sister’s suggestion! 😉
Thank you for sharing this post – – and please forgive my “extreme tardiness” today – – been on the go ALL day!
Hugs, Patti Jo
Hugs to you, Patti Jo, and I love magnolias too. LOL at what your sister said. And I love what that statement reveals. You all share a very special relationship. So blessed. And no worries on being tardy. So am I…at responding back. Been running a tad crazy over here as well. Appreciate you, friend.
I’ve never been one to walk around a cemetery. I enjoyed seeing the pictures of you with each of your parents. I really enjoyed seeing all the headstone photos.
Thanks so much for connecting today, Debora. Appreciate you!
My husband went to heaven almost 5 years ago. His epitaph reads: God, Wife, Daughters, Others – All for God’s Glory. Oh, how much I miss him!
Bless you, Candy, for sharing that, and I’m so sorry for your loss. What a precious epitaph on your husband’s grave. All for God’s glory. So true. Appreciate you…
We were walking one of our local cemeteries and came across the name Honor Butt ( on her butt), my brother looked at me and said on her butt for eternity.
My Mom & Dad’s memorial stone says, “Jesus Saves” and “We’ve Gone Home”. Straight forward and to the point but isn’t that what Faith is all about.