Cemeteries are so serene and peaceful. I grew up visiting cemeteries as a kid.  Usually, I went with my Mom and Grandma.  Mom would take a fresh bouquet of flowers from our yard wrapped in wet newspaper.  I would romp around, trying to avoid stepping on the graves.  Meanwhile I saw solemn silhouettes hunched over my Grandpa and Uncle’s gravesites, placing the flowers as a sacrifice.  It was an act of respect and mourning, memories flooding their minds and feeling sad, but yet happy to be there again. They felt another layer of healing rest on their souls. 

I feel the same way as I visit my parents’ graves. It’s a tribute to the lives we spent together, good times and bad, celebrations of birthdays and holidays, time well spent.  I usually shed a tear or two, no matter how long it’s been.  I almost feel as if they are with me.  In my mind, I converse with them about my life. I’m strangely consoled by having visited with them.  My parents continue to minister to me.  They are with my God; the God they so lovingly shared with me.  With added strength from this heavenly exchange, I return to the present reality.  

It’s funny how I got to know my husband’s parents by visiting their graves at Camp Butler National Cemetery. They died long before I met my husband. Every year we are touched by the display of flags placed on each burial plot.  We review the dates and how long they lived, realizing I’ve outlived both of them.  It makes me realize how medicine has advanced and I mentally review my encounters with the medical field.  Each time we talk about the Watkins man buried next to his Dad and how he spent long conversations with him.  We take pictures of the same thing every year, rows and rows of flags painstakingly placed by the Boy Scouts.

Feeling renewed, I can face whatever life has for me.  I can celebrate Memorial Day by paying tribute to my loved ones who have passed on to be with Jesus.  I thank God that I can join them someday. With each year I’m getting closer and closer to meeting my King.

Published by barbaraziogasgmailcom

My quest is to be a free-lance writer. This has been my dream for many years, and now I believe it is the right time. God’s timing is perfect. I would like to write about social issues pertaining to poverty, domestic violence, the criminal justice system, religious education and other human interest topics. My past work experience included grant writing, writing issue papers, newsletters, creating flyers, brochures, news releases, and public service announcements. My business experience gave me skills in writing business plans, consignment contracts, newspaper articles, content for social media marketing and ads in a weekly paper. My purpose is to serve God and glorify Him through my work. View all posts by barbaraziogasgmailcom