Visit to a suburban cemetery ...

Good morning!

On Friday, my friend Susanna and I strolled around one of the very few civilian cemeteries here in our area.

There are few and far between them. BUT, in nearby Herndon there is one, Chestnut Grove Cemetery. Herndon and Reston border one another so it is easy to get to this cemetery. Too far (for me) to walk there, but it is easily reachable by car. I have been driving by this graveyard many, many times in the past. I have always wanted to stop and visit it. 

Finally it happened.

 

Some fairly stately stones.

A new grave site.  I am not used to seeing the sprays on stilts.  

Some parts of it are fairly old, and there is a lot of room for more graves to come.

To me, the whole place felt random. It is as far away from a military cemetery as you can get (I am thinking of Arlington, first and foremost).

All the stones are different (nothing wrong with that AT ALL), but so many of them were not very well kept. I have a hard time describing these hallow grounds. My best description is, random.

 

THIS!  This is a very, very special section of the cemetery.  We came upon an area where only very young children are buried.  They have a section all to themselves.  I have to admit that I think this is very peculiar.    BUT, maybe it isn't?  I have not been to a lot of cemeteries in the US at all.  I have been to Arlington many many many times of course, but that is so different since it is a military cemetery, so therefore most of the people resting there are adults.  I have also been to cemeteries in New Orleans, but I did not notice anything like this there.  Another thing, there are so very many young children buried here, babies and toddlers.  And very recent deaths.  I assume that these children come from all over Northern Virginia (we do not have many graveyards here, as I posted earlier)  May all these young, innocent souls rest in deep peace.

There are so many flowers, stuffed animals and toys in this area.  SO sad.

And this, a whole crate full of toys ...  SO strange to see ...

These little souls and the grieving families they have left behind.

The babies part of the cemetery.

Susanna and I strolled around, talking about life and death. 

Talking about the people resting there. Talking about how we want to be buried one day. We both want the same, to be cremated and have our ashes spread in the sea.

Sounds morbid? No, not at all. It was so nice strolling around, visting the graves, talk about the people that have already passed before us and to talk about how we want to be buried ourselves.

 

There are people from all over the world buried here. Hence our very diverse area.

A young doctor's resting place.
We did notice how common it is to have a photograph on the tombstone.  

Beer for a dear friend and father.  I have seen this as Arlington as well.

Susanna and I were touched by how very many young peoples graves we stumbled upon.  

And a cemetery for all faiths and denominations.

We found so many odd stones there, and so many anonymous ones.

What gives? So strange to us. But, on the other hand it is good that people can say whatever they want on their tombstone. Because, why not?

 

One wants to know so much more  ....

And this, so random with the stones and its anonymity.

Who was this mother?

I'll return to this graveyard again.

And, with this I am signing out for today.