United States

Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania

End-of-Year Epitaphs:  "Wow! What a Ride!" It's what we all want to be able to say when we see that divine light at the end of the tunnel. Mt. Tunnel Cemetery. [2014]

Lovington, New Mexico

End-of-Year Epitaphs:  "Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." As an investigative reporter (reputedly one of the best): "He reported the truth." Lovington Cemetery. [2018]

Columbia, Missouri

End-of-Year Epitaphs:  "Michael colored outside the lines and was occasionally saucy." So sayeth Mrs. Horn, his 2nd Grade Teacher! Maybe we should all color outside the lines occasionally. Columbia Cemetery. [2015]

Greenville, Ohio

Yuletide Epitaphs:  "It's not what you take with you. It's what you leave behind." Old adage, still true: You can't take it with you! But, you can leave a lot behind. Something to remember on Christmas Eve. New Greenville Cemetery. [2018]

Lake Village, Arkansas

Yuletide Epitaphs:  "She Gave Her Greatest Gift, Love." This holiday season, give the greatest gift of all: LOVE. Lake Village Cemetery. [2018]

Amarillo, Texas

Yuletide Epitaphs:  "Unto Us A Child Was Born. Unto God an Angel Given." Just like Jesus, all children arrive in this world as gifts from God. Llano Cemetery. [2018]

Elkhart, Kansas

Yuletide Epitaphs:  "Singing With the Angels." As we all are this holiday season! Sing loud, though. You will need to be heard over that pumpjack. Elkhart Cemetery. [2018]

Rainelle, West Virginia

Footprints in the Sand:  ". . . The Lord said, ‘My precious child, I never left you during your time of trial. Where you see only one set of footprints, I was carrying you.’" Wallace Memorial Cemetery. [2010]

Lumberton, North Carolina

Footprints in the Sand:  " . . . When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that at many times along the path of his life, there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life. This really troubled him, and he questioned the Lord about it. ‘Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I noticed that during the most troublesome times of my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you the most you would leave me.' . . . " To be continued. Meadowbrook Cemetery. [2011]

Duncannon, Pennsylvania

Footprints in the Sand:  "One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with my Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky. In each scene, I noticed footprints in the sand, sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there was only one. . . . " To be continued. Evergreen Cemetery. [2013]

Somerset, New Jersey

Footprints ~ In the Sand:  It's been written and re-written many times. Yet, its origins are clouded in mystery. What do we know? First, that the author appears to be unknown even though several women claim authorship. Second, that the roots are deep in the Bible, specifically Deut. 1:31: " . . . and in the wilderness. There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son . . . " Third, that this quasi-poem first appeared as part of popular culture in the 1970s. Fourth, that there is no canon text; each version is phrased just a little bit differently. Fifth, that the allegory has appeared frequently on cemetery landscapes all across the country, as today's post and those of next week reveal. Cedar Grove Cemetery. [2011]

Summerville, South Carolina

Footprints ~ On the Flag:  But maybe not your footprints! Recognize the university emblem? Summerville Cemetery. [2012]

Claremont, California

Footprints ~ Too Small:  "There are no footprints too small to make a mark on our hearts and lives forever." Oak Park Cemetery. [2015]