Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

"In cocoons, a hidden promise: Butterflies will soon be free!"  His butterfly seems to be a moth drawn to the light or to the lights of Three River Stadium in Pittsburgh. He might have lived a life cocooned in Steeler culture, and now as free as a butterfly. Mechanicsburg Cemetery. [2014]

Lovington, New Mexico

"In cocoons, a hidden promise: Butterflies will soon be free!"  He was probably cocooned in a wheel chair for much of his life, just waiting for the day he would fly off as a butterfly. Maybe he lived a hidden promise in that cocoon as he dreamed about riding that motorcycle all over the state of New Mexico. On this headstone, the hidden promise of the cycle seems to be revealed as a butterfly: off soars his spirit. Lovington Cemetery. [2018]

Matheney, West Virginia

"In cocoons, a hidden promise: Butterflies will soon be free!" Why are there so many butterflies in cemeteries? Because they are the ultimate symbol of freedom (apologies to bald eagles), just as it says on this headstone: ". . . now free as a butterfly, walking hand in hand with Jesus." Two butterflies perhaps double the freedom or perhaps just pay homage to the numeral 2, which accounts for more numbers on this headstone than any of its single-digit competitors. Palm Memorial Gardens. [2019]

Rockford, Ohio

Honoring Our Public Servants ~ Coasties:  Maybe you don't think of members of the U.S. Coast Guard as public servants, but you should. They do serve the public. From his memorial, it looks like a job he dreamed about his entire life, and then got to experience it: short but fulfilling life. Riverside Cemetery. [2018]

Andalusia, Alabama

Honoring Our Public Servants ~ Postal Workers:  Please, please remember that postal workers are loyal public servants. In fact, please remember to give them a thank-you once in a while. You know, the political climate in which they existed for a while turned chilly. Stone Lake Gardens. [2017]

Hurricane, West Virginia

Honoring Our Public Servants ~ School Bus Drivers:  It is so hard for most school districts to find bus drivers, despite the fact that there the age cohort from which they are drawn is sizeable. Those that do sign up for the job seem to be particularly devoted to serving the public. Just imagine the responsibility. Just imagine the driving skills. Just imagine the chopped up schedule. Just imagine the requisite psychological armor. Just imagine the kids in the back of the bus (maybe you were one of them)! Valley View Memorial Park. [2017]

Canal Winchester, Ohio

Honoring Our Public Servants ~ Teachers:  Most teachers don't have to work for 38 years to draw their pensions, so she must have been a public servant in love with her job and in love with her charges. Given her birth year, it is likely she may have begun teaching with only a 2-year normal-school degree. That means she would have been very young and probably not even 60 when she retired. Union Grove Cemetery. [2014]