This evening when I left work, I ran by the cemetery where my people are buried. The massive oak and hickory trees keep the grounds in shade for much of the day.
I parked near the top of the hill and walked over to the graves of my mom, dad, and brothers. The wind had blown the fall flowers over so I put everything in place and stepped back to survey my work.
Flipping down the tailgate of the truck, I sat on the edge and finished a bottle of water. It's peaceful in that old cemetery. There's a lot of history there. The Davis family donated the land for the cemetery well over 150 years ago. I didn't learn until about 10 years ago that my grandmother on my dad's side was a Davis. A little research and I learned that it was her ancestors who donated the land.
Off in the distance, I could hear a train and soon it would pass over the trestle snaking westward. The train horn is a lonely sound as echoes through the hollows making it difficult to tell how far away it is. The horn sounds strong at first but then the volume fades like it's running out of breath.
I sat there for a long time listening and thinking about my folks. My dad was born in October of 1923. He would have been 93 years old later this month.
Looking at my watched, I realized the evening was slipping away so I slammed the tailgate and started to get into the truck when color at the edge of the cemetery caught my eye. Stepping over, I snapped a few pictures because I knew they'd come in handy.
I don't think I have ever been in an old cemetery which wasn't peaceful. And usually beautiful with it.
ReplyDeleteIn one of our homes, a railway line ran through the paddock at the bottom of the garden. The whistle and the wheels gave my comfort on many dark nights.
There's something soothing about the rumbling of a passing train!!
ReplyDeleteI can't see the train or the tracks here but it's close enough that I hear it. A train whistle often wakes me up early in the morning. It's not a bad sound at all but reminds me that it's time to get up and start the day.
ReplyDeleteI left this post last night as I had no comment, then I realized this morning it is certainly worthy of a "Very nice post." Not all posts need a comment.
ReplyDelete"Very nice post."
How lovely to have a cemetery of family. That may sound strange but it has a beauty to the history of family. As I was reading your post the song So Lonesome I Could Cry by Hank Williams kept playing in my mind.
ReplyDeleteI love trains, just saying
ReplyDeleteA family cemetery, beautiful! I find cemeteries are a peaceful place to just sit. Gorgeous photo!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a nice little visit you had. ive always liked to hear the trains in the distance. Seems like the cooler air makes them sound closer.
ReplyDeleteLisa
Trains can be moody....fun yet melancholy, travel yet one watches it leave often. That is pretty cool that you are related to the people who donated the land. I find ancestry fascinating.
ReplyDeleteI like to hear a train whistle, and I like to hear songs about trains. My alter-ego is a rambler who jumps a freight train, lol.
ReplyDeleteNice words about the cemetery and nice picture of the maple leaves.