My daughter and I discovered a small local cemetery last weekend while we were out and about and should have been doing other things. We were exploring for only a few minutes when we realized that it was very old, and that there was a disproportionate amount of infant graves nestled among the others. Little Dollie Delaney touched the world in 1892 and spent a mere nine days with her parents before leaving as quickly as she came. The wound of her passing must have been enormous, and surely one that never healed. Perhaps the biggest challenge was convincing people that she existed, for I’m guessing she lived an entire lifetime in her parent’s eyes. A giant hug for my daughter that day, for feeling the great sadness in the loss of a child, and hopefully a lesson learned that although our time on earth is fleeting, it is important to know that everyone leaves a mark and that they mattered.
This is so touching! That’s why every morning we have to thank God that we are still alive, with our parents and all… and pray for these poor little souls.
LikeLike
Thank you for feeling it, and for the lovely comment.
Elisa
LikeLike
I have a similar grave next to my house, I believe it is a private one. There were so many infants. It was just awful. Luckily, they have technology and advanced medicine today that can lengthen and even save their lives. Lives that couldn’t be saved in earlier times. Beautifully written!*
LikeLike
The infant grave sites always stand out because their stones are usually so tiny.
Elisa
LikeLike
beautifully written Elisa
LikeLike
thank you so much,
elisa
LikeLike
I love the line “she lived an entire lifetime in her parent’s eyes” that alone epitomizes this post. Beautiful, just beautiful.
LikeLike
Thank you so much. I appreciate your reading and commenting, and following! I’m looking forward to checking out your blog.
Elisa
LikeLike
A pain no parent should suffer, but too many have.
LikeLike
Agreed…..
LikeLike
A beautiful tribute
LikeLike
Thank you, Emily.
LikeLike
Beautiful post! At that time, childhood death was quite common…
LikeLike
Yes, it must have been an accepted part of life I guess. Couldn’t have been easy.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment!
LikeLike
Elisa, this is so very loving!
LikeLike
I’m so touched that you thought so, Patricia.
Elisa
Happy weekend!
LikeLike
Very thoughtful post. We all need to remember that every life is precious. Every life has meaning. Thanks for reminding us of that. If we are saddened by the early deaths of these children how much more should we be moved to action knowing that thousands of children in the third world are dying unnecessarily each day from the world’s neglect. I am hoping more people will take the holiday season – whether Christian, Jewish, Muslim or other – to spend less on ourselves (our own) and contribute to the needs of the world. Loved the simple picture of flower in hand.
LikeLike
Thank you so much for stopping by, and for your sharing your thoughtful comment.
Elisa
LikeLike
Beautiful Post – loving your photos – thanks for sharing! Happy Friday:)
LikeLike
Thank you so much!
elisa
LikeLike
You’re writing is so compelling!
LikeLike
I am touched by your compliment, thank you. So glad you liked this post.
Elisa
LikeLike
I love this day you had and the way you go back and think to this little girl who was only here on earth a few days, you how have empathy for her parents as you had your very alive daughter right there with you. You are teaching her very good things. Thank you for sharing.
LikeLike
Thank you for your comment, and for understanding.
Elisa
LikeLike
Great post.. her legacy continues in your post to an entire world.
LikeLike
Thank you, that really is a very sweet way to express it.
e.
LikeLike
Beautiful thoughts Elisa and so beautifully expressed. I could feel her parents pain across all those years!
LikeLike
Thanks Madhu. It was this lost child’s name that go to me. A little baby named Dollie.
LikeLike
Beautiful….nuff said!
LikeLike
Lovely post Elisa.
I am using USB Wireless Internet Stick until December Sunday the 9th, 2012. Reason to it is that we sold our old home after living there 19 years and now we are living in a temporary home before moving to our new home. The connection is not working perfectly and the connection goes off from time to time. I hope that You understand why comments are short until that day I mentioned above. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
LikeLike
No worries! I always appreciate it when you have the time to stop by.
Elisa
LikeLike
A beautifully written post. And, your photo of the gravestone standing in a carpet of colored leaves is very pretty.
LikeLike
Thank you so much, David!
LikeLike
Such a poignant story prompted by your image.It’s told very well.
LikeLike
Thank you. It came from the heart.
Elisa
LikeLike
Yes , a lovely post indeed, Elisa. It brought to mind an old Chinese poem, written by Po Chu-i, and translated by Arthur Waley, as ‘Remembering Golden Bells’….it includes the following lines:
“There came a day—they suddenly took her from me;
Her soul’s shadow wandered I know not where.”
…and ends…
“At last, by thinking of the time before she was born,
By thought and reason I drove the pain away.
Since my heart forgot her, many days have passed
And three times winter has changed to spring.
This morning, for a little, the old grief came back,
Because, in the road, I met her foster-nurse.”
And thanks for stopping by, and liking my post :).
Glenn
LikeLike
Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing “Remembering Golden Bells.” I read it three times and found it more lovely each time. It’s really very touching.
(and, your welcome!)
Elisa
LikeLike
You are truly a caring parent. If we are honest, it is a portion of what motivates us every day to help our children – nurturing their lives no matter how long we have together, and hoping it was enough. She did live a lifetime in her parents’ eyes, even if they forever wished for more.
LikeLike
Thank you, and your comment made my Monday morning very special.
Elisa
LikeLike
Likewise, for this post and for your comment on mine. Thank you for being genuine!
LikeLike
Lovely and poignant post e.
LikeLike
Thanks, MIke. It was her sweet name that got to me that day.
LikeLike
I loved your words in this post. So beautifully written and beautiful images to go with them. I like how you have ended this post. Awesome work Elisa.
LikeLike
Arindam, I’m always so happy when you stop by and like one of my posts. It means a lot to me!
Elisa
LikeLike
Old cemeteries have their charm, but often a sad one emanating from monuments to brief lives. Last year I did a post that included epitaphs of three infants in one family:
http://portraitsofwildflowers.wordpress.com/2011/07/04/a-one-day-departure/
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing the link to your poignant post. It was lovely.
Elisa
LikeLike
You’re welcome, and thanks for finding the post lovely.
LikeLike
So true…
LikeLike
Wonderful post, Elisa. I love the words and the photos.
LikeLike