I returned to the Walnut cemetery yesterday, having been told by Nancy where to look for the Cantrell child's grave.
If I understood her correctly, it should be in this section, far at the back.
I didn't find any stones that said 'Cantrell,' but this little marker -- which may have been broken off -- with its uneven chiseled cross seems to be a likely candidate.
There was no sign at all of a playhouse -- no rotting boards or anything at all. This may or may not be the Cantrell child's resting place.
But whoever it was, I wish I'd thought to bring a flower.
15 comments:
Vicki
This story has so much sadness and mystery, doesn't it?
You brought a flower in your thoughts. Enough said.
Kind of makes you wonder. Maybe someone else will give you some input?
Walking in our neighborhood, I was looking at the houses and thinking that each contained a story. The same is true of cemeteries. All those stone, all those people, each with a story to tell. The older cemeteries seem the more poignant as so many of those stories are gone forever.
On another note, I wish you and your family a very happy Thanksgiving!
I think you might have found it, Vickie! I've got goose bumps.
I'm hoping that Nancy will weigh in -- she has some folks she's going to try to talk to about the story.
And a Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!!! -- I have to cook and clean like mad today -- yesterday was the big shopping expedition to hit Sam's before the crowds got crazy and I'm still putting things away. Oh, yes, and there are dogs to bathe . . .
I'm going to believe it is the one. Regardless, the stone is so moving and the setting so lovely. A beautiful place to spend eternity.
Happy Thanksgiving!
What a strange and melancholic place !
Finally, did you find a translation for "Une Page d'Histoire de Barbey d'Aurevilly "whose world recalls that of Edgar Poe?
Your last comment about the curtains looks like the first sentence of "Le Rideau cramoisi"(=The purple curtain") from the same author
("Qu'y avait-il derrière ces rideaux ,")
Mountain woman -- exactly so! So touching, the stone broken off and a life cut short.
No, Miss Yves, I've not yet had time to track down a translation -- maybe I'll put it on my Christmas wished list!
Those tombs look so bare and lost. I had not been to France in early November for a long time and had forgotten how most people go to cemeteries at that time and place chrysanthemums on the graves. While riding the train we could see several cemeteries and about 90% of the graves had these flowers near each grave. I did not take a picture because this was a fast train going over 300 km/hr but it was startling to watch these cemeteries covered with flowers. Also in front of every soldier’s grave was a large pot of yellow or burgundy chrysanthemum.
Vagabonde -- around here, most graves are decorated on Memorial Day -- or thereabouts. Many churches have 'homecomings' and families meet at the cemetery for a brief service.
This particular cemetery is part of one connected to a church that is no longer active due to a lack of congregation. This little community is much, much smaller than it was a hundred years ago -- and probably many of these graves no longer have families in the area.
I seem to recall, now that I think about it, children's markers were smaller than adults and often had a lamb engraving on them. At least they did in Arkansas.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Sam
I'm with Willow-I think it's the one-may be that it is such a moving thought I just want it to be the one. After all these years-I bet any remains of the playhouse would have been removed by a caretaker or when the community gathered on Decoration Day. Can't wait to see what else you discover.
You're right, Tipper -- I didn't really expect to see any play house remains -- except maybe some racks the sill would have rested on. But, as you say, they could have been removed when the play house was. We'll see what Nancy says.
Sam, there are several stones with little lambs in this cemetery -- I should have taken a picture of one. Another time, perhaps ...
Hi Vicki, I red the post about this child, how sad to know about her, poor girl, my god, I would never ever left my childs alone.
Muchos cariños
María Cecilia
Whoever lies there, I'm glad you brought them a rose.
Happy Thanksgiving and many blessings to you and your family.
Victoria
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