Brownfield, Texas

One True Love ~ A Man and His Tractor:  Of all the things he could have chosen to put on his memorial, he chose his tractor. Or, do you think it was his survivors who made the choice? One thing to look for whenever you see a tractor on a tombstone: Is the driver present or absent? Brownfield Cemetery. [2016]

Castleberry, Alabama

One True Love ~ A Man and His Tractor:  No riderless tractor here. Thanks to the 'rock of ages' and a skilled tombstone artist, this farmer will ride his tractor into eternity. Not just his tractor. His John Deere. Holland Cemetery. [2017]

Zanesville, Ohio

One True Love ~ A Man and His Tractor:  In military funerals, a riderless horse sometimes follows the casket as it proceeds to the cemetery for burial. It is meant to symbolize a fallen warrior who will ride no more. Take that idea and apply it to the riderless tractor shown here. Pleasant Grove Cemetery. [2013]

Wilbraham, Massachusetts

One True Love ~ A Man and His Tractor:  Just a few generations ago, it might have been the love between a man and his horse. Then, the tractor replaced the horse. Still, it was something to ride and, therefore, something to love. So beloved was this man's tractor that he chose it as a defining element of his life, along with his wife, of course. She holds a bouquet of flowers as if ready to welcome him back from the fields. East Wilbraham Cemetery. [2013]

Dunham, Quebec

Canadian Epitaphs:  "I rejoice in the ones I have loved and am waiting for the ones I love." Be thankful for the loved ones you have in the this life. And remember: We will be reunited with our loved ones in the next life. That's one of the biggest selling points Christianity has to offer! Dunham Cemetery. [2011]

Morden, Manitoba

Canadian Epitaphs:  "Death is Gain": That's one way of putting a positive spin on the end of life. Yet, even though that is what all Christians believe, most would like their souls and bodies to be united on terra firma as long as possible. Morden Memorial Gardens. [2012]

Blumenort, Manitoba

Canadian Epitaphs: Here's the puzzle: He carries a distinctly Russian Mennonite surname, which is found throughout Manitoba. (If it sounds German, that is because the Russian Mennonites originated in Germany.) The name alone would lead you to believe he was a profoundly religious soul. However, the epitaph betrays a touch of agnosticism: "If there is another world, he lives in bliss. If not another, he made the most of this." If nothing else, his headstone loudly proclaims a belief in Canada, a love of the land, and the freedom it provided his ancestors (see the eagle?). EMC Cemetery. [2012]

Pelham, Ontario

Canadian Epitaphs:  The epitaph comes from the lips of a departed couple, his and hers: 'It took a lifetime. But we finally got here.' That could be written on almost any headstone (save the very young). Every life ends in the same place, and we all work so hard to get there. Pleasantview Memorial Gardens. [2013]

Granby, Quebec

Canadian Epitaphs:  The epitaph comes form the lips of the departed: 'Look at my life as it began, and not as it ended.' He died young, and one suspects of a malady that made his last few months (maybe years) difficult for him and his family. Granby Cemetery. [2011]

Steinbach, Manitoba

Canadian Epitaphs:  The words to live by on the front of the headstone are drawn from the Bible verse on the verso. From Paul's letter to the Romans: "Take your everyday, ordinary life - your sleeping, eating, going to work and walking around life - and place it before God as an offering." Translated into a guiding aphorism: "How we live our days, is of course, how we spend our lives." Now, look up Romans 12:1 and see if it all makes sense. Heritage Cemetery. [2012]

Landmark, Manitoba

World Teachers' Day ~ October 5:  Lots of teachers don't have their profession commemorated on their headstones. One lies buried here, but we'll have to check back later to see what's on her permanent marker. She wasn't in the classroom long, but the love of her students ran deep. They could hardly believe she was killed in a biking accident over the summer. So young, and such a loss. Prairie Rose EMC Cemetery. [2012]

Durango, Colorado

World Teachers' Day ~ October 5:  Over 100 countries in the world follow the lead of the U.N. and proclaim October 5 as national Teachers' Day. That does not include the U.S. Nevertheless, feel free to proclaim tomorrow as your own Teachers' Day. Say thank you to your kids' teachers, honor a teacher of your own, or visit a cemetery and see how many headstones you can find that proudly identify the departed as teachers. Greenmount Cemetery. [2013]

Canal Winchester, Ohio

World Teachers' Day ~ October 5:  UNESCO honors teacher organizations around the world on Thursday of this week. By now, schools around the world are in session (unless they've been devastated by hurricanes) and teachers should be about ready for a little 'thank you' from their communities. We are fortunate that so many people who devote their lives to teaching. Here's a woman who taught for 38 years. It looks like she started in her early 20s and retired in her late 50s. Union Grove Cemetery. [2014]