I walk down the shaded path surrounded by weeping willow trees past the fields that the farmers have so carefully plowed ... and then beyond the gate, I see the stone. I come here often especially late in the day as the sun is going down ... and casting purple orange shadows all around me...

And I read the date of his birth ... and then the date of his death. I stare at it sometimes ... hardly able to believe he is no longer here. No longer can I hear him calling me ... nor feel his hugs nor hear him say..."I love you..."

And I know deep within the recesses of my soul... that he is not here in this place ... but this is the place I walked out alone...without him. And it is in this place, I find comfort... for as the wind caresses my face ... and I hear the birds singing... I know that somewhere up there beyond the blue of the sky... He is watching over me. I know that he is asking the Lord to be with me... and I still can feel his love.
I noticed that as I left the cemetery after the service ... although I walked out alone... I noticed I somehow did not feel that he had truly left me. For I still felt his love ... and I think I always will.

So in this garden of stone where so many loved ones lie... I sit and I remember all the times we shared... I remember the love ... and I remember all of these who are no longer here but left their love behind.

And today, I planted a rose ... one that I will water and care for ... as a sign of my love ... as a message that I shall never forget this one whom I loved with all of my soul...

For once we walked together here ... and I listened as he told me of his father and of his grandfather ... whose stones are engraved with their names ... and as I turn to leave... I know that as always... I do not walk out of this garden of engraved stones alone for the love they left is engraved on my heart and soul forevermore....

 

NEXT:  Garden Visitor

From My Desk