#grave walker

[h0use-fly]

[ oc ] i draw people too

[elminx]

I think that this needs to be said...not all spirits/cemeteries/graveyards want to be “cleaned”. It is not the universal sign of respect that you think it is. Pick up the obvious trash (cigarette butts, empty Dunkin’ Donuts cups, discarded masks) but think twice and ASK before you remove/clean things in a place with which you are not intimately familiar.

I have one cemetery that I clean regularly but we have established rules. All of the spirits know the ways to show me that they don’t want something that has been left for them to stick around. They are allowed to ask me for things and vice versa.

But I have only ever cleaned the headstones once and that was when a drunk driver plowed through them. The spirits have never wanted me to otherwise. And I live in the old part of the US - some of these graves are from the 1700s. They were hand written in the same strange now mostly illegible script of the town gravestone maker. They could “use a good cleaning”. They are moss covered, old, and sometimes crumbling. And very content to remain that way.

When in doubt, just ask. Ask again until you get a definite answer. If you wouldn’t wander into a stranger’s house with a mop bucket uninvited, don’t do it to the spirits.

[box-cutter-yoruv]

Already Half Way Through Grave Walkers Shield in Less than A Minute and ...

Theory Followed by a Test.

[geniehunting]

Epitaphs: The Roles we Play

In life, the roles that each of us slips into are numerous.  For every interaction, there is a manner. For every situation there is an expectation.  For every person, there is a role - whether we appreciate its nature or not.  What roles do we play? What roles are we defined by? What roles will we be remembered for?

Do I want my professions chiseled into stone as the definition of who I was?  Isn’t that how I define myself to others, at least initially?  Hi... I’m [name]. What do I do... well, I’m an [occupational role].  It’s ingrained in us to represent ourselves in this way.  But that should never be the limit of who we are. 

Perhaps that is why I love this marker so much.  Jerry Todd, just like the rest of us, didn’t have to be boxed into that single definition.  In fact, I really appreciate that his profession was listed last - and his purpose, as a healer, received precedence over his occupation as an MD.

Furthermore, the ranked role is as it should be, in my opinion.  His role as a father placed first on his marker and was probably ranked first in his life, or at least perceived to be by the loved ones who chose to engrave it first. This indicates to me a life well-lived.

A life of family... FATHER

A life with purpose... HEALER

A life of fun and creativity.... MUSICIAN

A life of service... MD

A life well rounded.

[geniehunting]

Epitaphs: Final Statements

It is the end for us, but the epitaph is our P.S.  For most that means nothing as the epitaph carved in stone will likely be composed by someone else.  This, alone, is a good reason to keep the golden rule in mind!

Francis must have made an impression on his family.  His life must not have been boring.  It might even have inspired a little bit of envy.  I hope that I can consider my own life well lived.  I do, for the most part, believe that now.  I wonder what Francis would’ve said about his own epitaph?  Was he satisfied with his life?  His family must have thought so.

George must have been nice.  A statement like CARING HEART is revealing.  He must also have been passionate.  At least, that is what I take away from these unique comments left on his memorial.  

I don’t know Mr. Evans, yet I take away an impression of the man, long gone, simply because of the comment left by those who knew him.  Epitaphs are the post scripts of our lives.

[marambio2501]

Lithariel The Warrior Commander of the Tribesmen of Nurn. (New skin for Talion)

[marambio2501]

Dark Ranger

[marambio2501]

Grave Walker!