Seymour, Indiana, USA

Christmastide Graveside:  Despite what you might think, the Twelve Days of Christmas aren't the ones leading up to Christmas; they are the twelve days beginning with Christmas. This is the day of the Five Golden Rings. At this grave, though, the rings are red. And, despite what you may think about the poinsettia's red rings, they are not petals, but leaves. Riverview Cemetery. [2017]

Erlanger, Kentucky

Christmastide Graveside:  Believe it or not, the twelve days of Christmas began on Christmas Day. The season is called Christmastide and it carries us into the new year. Now, a few days after the holiday, the decorations linger, as they might for a another month or so. In this case, a still-mourning family's Christmas tree is short two balls, and an elf seems to be visiting the grave. See his hat and shoes? Forest Lawn Memorial Park. [2017]

Fort Walton Beach, Florida

Christmastide Graveside:  Believe it or not, the twelve days of Christmas begin now, on Christmas Day. Here's someone who was born on the first day of Christmastide, December 25. Today would have been his 37th birthday. That's two reasons to be missed at this time of year. And, that may be why his little plot of land has been turned into a holiday wonderland. You can't miss it. And, you just know he is still "looking down from the clouds" and still loves the little girl he left behind. Beal Memorial Cemetery. [2017]

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Focus on Albuquerque's Balloon Fiesta Siesta:  Has the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta been one of the high points of your life? Why not tell everybody about it by choosing to be buried in the Balloon Fiesta Garden. Sound like a sales pitch? That's what cemeteries these days are all about! Fairview Cemetery. [2017]

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Focus on Albuquerque's Balloon Fiesta Siesta:  These balloons aren't likely to get airborne. They are made of granite after all! In your imagination, though, they can soar! And, carry your spirit into the heavens. Better buy a niche here in the Balloon Fiesta Garden before they're all gone. Fairview Cemetery. [2017]

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Focus on Albuquerque's Balloon Fiesta Siesta:  Have you lived in New Mexico your whole life? Have you seen the hot-air balloons drifting overhead all year? Have you been a regular at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta? Then, this might be the final resting place for you: the Balloon Fiesta Garden. You will have to be cremated, though. Fairview Cemetery. [2017]

Roswell, New Mexico

Birthday Balloons:  He survived childhood and adolescence, but the third decade did him in. His family was grief stricken and still mourns. His birthday party has been moved to the cemetery, and birthday wishes have been sent heavenward on a Mylar balloon. Happy Birthday, Number 1! South Park Cemetery. [2016]

Beckley, West Virginia

Birthday Balloons:  God's angels come for him the day he was born. The only birthday he had was the real one. You know, were he with us today, he would be loving his cars, and watching the movie, too! Happy Birthday, champ! Greenwood Memorial Park. [2014]

Jefferson City, Missouri

Birthday Balloons:  He may be gone, but there is no reason to stop celebrating his birthday. Now, however, the decorations must be moved grave side. Happy birthday, kid! Hawthorn Memorial Gardens. [2015]

Lyndon Center, Vermont

Balloon Rides to Heaven:  Take one last look at at the lake before you go where that airplane can't take you. Up, up, and away: beyond the clouds. With a little lift from the angels circling that balloon, you are about ready to exchange the Northeast Kingdom for the Heavenly Kingdom. Lyndon Center Cemetery. [2009]

Port Republic, New Jersey

Balloon Rides to Heaven:  The angels must have been singing and playing their harps when he took that last balloon ride to the heaven. What hymn do you think would best fit the circumstances? St. Paul's United Methodist Church. [2015]

Cortland, New York

Balloon Rides to Heaven:  Why not go out with a little flare and fashion. Let your spirit depart this earth in a hot air balloon: up above the birds you rise, up above the sun. Take one last look at what your are leaving behind: Next stop is paradise! Cortland Rural Cemetery. [2017]

Siler City, North Carolina

One True Love ~ The Family Farm:  The scene is set, but the names have yet to be added. Visit a monument company and you will have your choice of copy art, some of which you will identify with and some of which you won't. Perhaps an agricultural landscape is for you. No matter what the real farm looked like, this rendition of a generic farmstead might appeal to anyone who lived out their days farming the land. It may not have been their farm, but it was a farm. As for the couple: It may not have been them, but at least it's a couple! Chatham Monument Company. [2005]

New Millford, Pennsylvania

One True Love ~ The Family Farm:  Some people take a headstone this size and use it for only names and dates. These farmers, however, saw a blank slate and wanted to fill it with some geography. They seem to have known that this would be their last view of life on earth, the view they would have as they glanced back just one more time on their flight to heaven. New Milford Cemetery. [2017]

Laurel, Delaware

One True Love ~ The Family Farm:  Together they spent their life on the farm, and now they will be together forever. It was the farm that defined their life, their souls, and their family. It was with them every waking minute, and they probably dreamed about it at night. Now, the old tractor's empty. Perhaps the next generation decided they didn't want a life on the farm like their mom and dad. Odd Fellows Cemetery. [2013]

Millville, New Jersey

One True Love ~ The Family Farm:  They're full of life and in the saddle, but they're getting ready to ride off into the sunset. Before they leave, however, they have stopped to take one last look at the family farm, perhaps with the intention of giving the kids and grand kids one last chance to wave goodbye to mom and dad, mom-mom and pop-pop. Greenwood Cemetery. [2016]

Damascus, Maryland

One True Love ~ The Family Farm:  Aerial oblique, but a sketch, not a photo. What crop did they pick to symbolize their connection to the land? Wheat, a symbol of resurrection. That fits the inclusion of a church, perhaps their church, way out there on the other side of the fence. Orthodox Syrian Church Cemetery. [2007]

Shippensburg, Pennsylvania

One True Love ~ The Family Farm:  Three silos: That's the mark of a prosperous operation. And, it looks like they needed more space in the old barn, too. Over the course of their lives, they probably saw the size of their herd, double and double again. They had to keep up with economies of scale. Springhill Cemetery. [2013]

Cynthiana, Kentucky

One True Love ~ The Family Farm:  Farmers or miners? Both. Miners because they mined the family archives to find an 'old timey' photo of the farmstead when everyone was young and the tractor was new. Battle Grove Cemetery. [2015]

Parkersburg, West Virginia

One True Love ~ The Family Farm:  The aerial photo doesn't suggest farming, but the tractor does, and so does the horse. Perhaps a corner of the old farmstead was chosen for their new suburban home, a place where they could enjoy their golden years. Quiz time: What's the name of the river you see here? Mt. Olivet Cemetery. [2014]

Laurel, Delaware

One True Love ~ The Family Farm:  Judging from the number of buildings, this couple built a prosperous family business. Judging from the number of silos, they must have had some livestock to feed. Judging from the number of tractors, they must have had some cash crops to grow and sell. And, judging from the epitaph, they must have respected and loved the land they farmed: "A Great Love For The Land." Odd Fellows Cemetery. [2013]

Earth, Texas

One True Love ~ A Man and His Tractor:  "I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil - This is the gift of God." Ecclesiastes 3:12-13. Earth Cemetery. [2016]

Carroll, Ohio

One True Love ~ A Man and His Tractor:  Looking for a research topic? How about gender roles as depicted on cemetery memorials? Clearly he took care of things in the outside world, and she took care of things at home. Betzer Cemetery. [2017]

Dry Ridge, Kentucky

One True Love ~ A Man and His Tractor:  Maybe he and his tractor shared a single soul. It looks like the angels came for both of them. Or, maybe his tractor was the angel that carried him away to heaven. Judging from the empty seat, however, the tractor may have just dropped him off and returned to the farm. Hill Crest Cemetery. [2015]

Capeville, Virginia

One True Love ~ A Man and His Tractor:  The holy triumvirate: farm (symbolized by the tractor), country (symbolized by the stars and stripes), and God (symbolized by the steeple that backs up the churchyard). Capeville UMC Cemetery. [2016]

Washington Court House, Ohio

One True Love ~ A Man and His Tractor:  A few years later, a lyricist, Jason Aldean, put it all in perspective: "And I can take you on a ride on my big green tractor, We can go slow or make it go faster, Down through the woods and out to the pasture, Long as I'm with you it really don't matter." So, maybe the tractor isn't always a farm boy's one true love! Washington Cemetery. [2016]

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]