poignant

on monday for family home evening brock wanted to go to the old nauvoo burial grounds "before the weather gets too cold". it is just up the road from us, just past my regular turn-around point when i jog, but we still hadn't visited it yet. as we were crunching through the leaves, a gusty wind began to blow, and huge acorns were dropping from the trees with a regular consistency. it suddenly felt like a very appropriate moment in time to be there. much more so than if we had visited in the summer. it was poignant and touching, particularly because most of the people buried there were children.

at the entrance to the grounds there is part of a letter from phoebe woodruff to her husband wilford in england, telling him of the death of their daughter on July 17, 1840, 3 days after her second birthday, quoted:

"My dear Wilford, what will be your feelings when I say that yesterday i was called to witness the departure of our little Sarah Emma from this world. Yes, she is gone. The relentless hand of death has snatched her from my embrace. Ah, but she was too lovely, too kind, too affectionate to stay in this wicked world. Often when I have looked upon her, I have wondered how I could bear to lose her, especially with my dear companion absent from me.... Yes Wilford, we have one little angel in heaven, and I feel certain that her spirit has visited you before now."

i felt her loss, and the losses of so many others, and wept, and it took me quite some time to recover.

 

for mary:

Comments

[Mary Smith]

I was already loving your post and then I saw something for me! Thank you -- and it must have been a surprise since I have such an unusual name (jk. My greatˆ3 grandmother was named Mary Smith and I feel a strong connection with her. She was born in Vermont and died in Parowan of all places). I love cemeteries! My mom instilled in me an appreciation for their peacefulness and nearness to heaven. As always, your imagery is so eloquent I feel as if I was there with you. And the photos are wonderful.

[Emily House]

That made me sad too. We are so blessed to enjoy such health and vitality. I can't imaging losing the majority of my children in death. Just heartbreaking.