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Abstract

in loneliness or in joy.And with each obituary and each headstone, the story of a person’s unique life can be laid out for all to experience — to feel joy in, to empathize with, to be inspired by, to be saddened by, or to learn from.On a Saturday morning, when newspapers publish the highest number of obituaries in the week, my husband is often deluged (not voluntarily) by my comments about amazing stories of those who have died.I read about a man who evaded the Nazis by riding on the underside of a train across multiple countries in Europe.I read about a person who was fired over the PA system at his workplace.I’ve read about women who have raised families of 10 children and gone back to school to get their high school diplomas or university degrees.I read about a woman who won prizes in TV production, synchronized skating, AND dog showing (not all at the same time. But she could have produced a show about dogs synchro skating. Hmmmm … perhaps an inspiration for another reader?)It often shocks peop

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le when I tell them about a remarkable gravestone I’ve come across.How could you not share in the joy of the couple who designed their own headstone reading, “Come Join Us In Our New Place”?Or the tombstone which reads, “I Told You I Was Sick.”Of course there are also the headstones which tell the heartbreaking stories of children who have succumbed to cancer or young soldiers who have not made it home from war.But every single life has its own unique set of experiences.If your life story was to be told today, what emotions would it evoke? What gifts would your life story give to the person reading it?“Must in death your daylight finish? My sun sets to rise again.”~ Robert Browning(I took this photo in one of my favourite cemeteries, the Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Toronto. The cemetery is a peaceful and beautiful 205 acres with more than 500 species of trees, shrubs, and ornamental plants. It’s home to 180,000 graves each with its own unique story.)</article></body>

Cemeteries Are Filled With Life (Stories)

My wonderful obsession with the stories of the dead

Some feel that I’m morbidly obsessed with death.

Yes, I’ve read the obituaries since I was 9, and yes, I love to walk in cemeteries.

But it’s not the death part that fascinates me.

It’s the life.

Every single person has a unique life story.

There are literally 8 billion people on earth right now, many of whom will be sharing similar experiences as they move through life.

But at the end of those lives, no matter how long or short each might be, each will be a unique story.

It might be a tremendously sad story peppered with moments of light. It might be a story of riches and far flung adventures. It might be a story of love or a story of heroism. Or it might be a story of a simple life lived in loneliness or in joy.

And with each obituary and each headstone, the story of a person’s unique life can be laid out for all to experience — to feel joy in, to empathize with, to be inspired by, to be saddened by, or to learn from.

On a Saturday morning, when newspapers publish the highest number of obituaries in the week, my husband is often deluged (not voluntarily) by my comments about amazing stories of those who have died.

I read about a man who evaded the Nazis by riding on the underside of a train across multiple countries in Europe.

I read about a person who was fired over the PA system at his workplace.

I’ve read about women who have raised families of 10 children and gone back to school to get their high school diplomas or university degrees.

I read about a woman who won prizes in TV production, synchronized skating, AND dog showing (not all at the same time. But she could have produced a show about dogs synchro skating. Hmmmm … perhaps an inspiration for another reader?)

It often shocks people when I tell them about a remarkable gravestone I’ve come across.

How could you not share in the joy of the couple who designed their own headstone reading, “Come Join Us In Our New Place”?

Or the tombstone which reads, “I Told You I Was Sick.”

Of course there are also the headstones which tell the heartbreaking stories of children who have succumbed to cancer or young soldiers who have not made it home from war.

But every single life has its own unique set of experiences.

If your life story was to be told today, what emotions would it evoke? What gifts would your life story give to the person reading it?

“Must in death your daylight finish? My sun sets to rise again.”

~ Robert Browning

(I took this photo in one of my favourite cemeteries, the Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Toronto. The cemetery is a peaceful and beautiful 205 acres with more than 500 species of trees, shrubs, and ornamental plants. It’s home to 180,000 graves each with its own unique story.)