I don't believe it is something people typically do, not at all. Especially if they don't know anyone there. And I certainly didn't, but I stopped anyway.
I noticed it first when I was driving home from an appointment the night before, about dusk. I thought what a spooky place that would be at midnight - or exciting! I tried to think back into my past, looking for any glimpse of a night when I might have ventured into one before. I am sure with a group of friends I would have had the courage to do it. But in the bright of day it didn't take any courage, just a strange curiosity.
Why did I suddenly decide to come here for a visit? I was driving the same route I had the night before, returning home from another appointment. But it looked so much more inviting and less frightening in the brightness of the mid day sun.
I think I stopped simply because it looked so beautiful and peaceful.
I was headed back home without much thought to what I was passing as I drove through the countryside. Then I noticed I was there again, the same spot as the night before. This time it called out to me. "You have time, come and hang out with me for a while."
I turned slowly onto the path between the gates. There wasn't anyone else there, in the cemetery. I stopped the car about ten yards down the road and just looked around. Not a cloud in the sky on a seriously chilly day for South Texas. There were flowers placed lovingly at many of the headstones - fake ones I am sure. That is all that would survive in this cold. Beautiful slim pines swayed a bit in the breeze.
I just sat there and looked about the acres of green, and headstones, and flowers and trees. It's one of those things that I am reminded of every time I teach my yoga class. Be present. Just be.
After a little while, I decided to brave the cold and go for a walk.
I slowly walked between the headstones being careful not to step on any grave. Many stories were told without a word being said. I saw birth dates that went back into the mid 1800's, and more recent ones where the spouse had passed away but one still lived on. I imagined the lives of those that had gone before, and what life was like for those left behind. It brought up many beautiful stories of my own of friends and family that had passed away.
It was a wonderfully peaceful road side stop on a chilly clear blue sky day.
I smiled as I headed back to the car.
I am so glad I turned right. It was the right turn.
