In March, I was in Iota, Louisiana, looking for the graves of my ancestors. Among all of the tidy above-ground monuments that are common in this cemetery, I found these two handmade stones marking the memory of one baby girl:
Maggie Lynn Smith
July 27, 1976
I really debated sharing these photos here, because it's one parent's tender and sad tribute. In the end, I decided to do so in order to preserve the record...and her memory. I figured this was the best place to do it, with an audience who understands the concept of being moved by the stories of complete strangers and the desire to keep their memories alive. You do understand, right?
[Photo taken March 2010 at St. Joseph Cemetery, Iota, Louisiana. Copyright me. Don't steal, borrow, or pretend the Internet is a free-for-all because it's not.]
I do understand.
ReplyDeleteI recently did some cemetery work after my decade-long break. I had forgotten how heartbreaking those baby graves are...and even more so now that I have children myself.
Thank you for posting these. The babies should never be forgotten. My brother lost his triplets after just a few hours of being alive. It still hurts. We were all planning for them for months before they arrived. When I visit him I visit their grave (he is a minister living at the church with a graveyard) even though they were not in our family lives very long they will be in our hearts forever and will never be forgotten.
ReplyDeleteHaving lost two precious babies who never even got to take their first breath, I know the heartache. And I do so understand.
ReplyDeleteThese precious little souls are who helped to make us who we are! And they should never be forgotten.
These two stones are precious memories that have a lasting breath in our heart of hearts --- that link us one to another. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments. I was worried I was infringing on someone's private grief. I was just so moved by these little (and deeply personal) homemade stones in the middle of an ornate cemetery. I wanted to share them and Maggie's memory with others.
ReplyDeleteVery moving, but yes we understand and thank you for posting!Always so tough to see the babies...
ReplyDeleteI absolutely understand. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThat's so moving. Thanks for sharing it, and paying tribute to this little girl who was obviously very loved.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
ReplyDeleteThose gravemarkers are sweet and you're right - even tho they are not a part of our lives for long, we should remember these young lives.
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