Yep I knew you would think crazy, but just let me share what we saw, felt and learned as we walked through this old cemetery for six hours and only saw half of it. We were so thankful to have a brochure so we would not miss some of the more notary stones.
As Cathy and I enter the cemetery we headed to the left because that is where the older section seemed to be just by noticing the taller, older stones. With map in hand we began walking down each row. Some rows have a very narrow street because they were designed for horse and buggy.
Angels -
Can't hardly have a cemetery without angels and there were no shortage of those. Short, tall, adult, child, some raise high and some very low. What amazed me was the intricate carvings of these old stones. I stopped my writing and went to YouTube to learn about the artists behind the work. It was real interesting to watch the videos. The artists have so much talent. In colonial days they were not full time Monumental Masons because of the demand. These masons often worked in furniture making and other such crafts that required carving. With the masons only doing it part time it would take almost 2 years from the time of the order until the stone was placed on the grave.
With the passing of time and the elements beating down each day many of the older stones were very hard to read. So many could tell a story in such few words. Sometimes it was only to look at two small graves with death dates close together to wonder if it was a horrible accident or a rampant disease that took there lives. Cathy and I just continue to take photos and read as many of the tombstones that we could.
In this cemetery there are buried eleven Governors, twenty two Mayors of Little Rock, 14 Arkansas Supreme Court Justices and many more interesting people. The first two white woman in Little Rock are buried here. Songwriter, martyr of Confederacy, actress, founder of first hospital in Little Rock, First Little Rock man killed in the Civil war, Pulitzer Prize Winner and the list goes on. Some much history in one place.
Messages left. I am always moved by the wording on some of the stones. Here are just a few that I found that touched me, knowing that Dennis and Dylan are in Heaven today waiting for us. I am sure you also have loved ones waiting for you. People ask, "Don't cemeteries feel creepy to you." I tell them no, while I am there I feel encouraged because my loved ones are in Heaven, not in the grave. The words are a reminder to me that I will see them soon.
"One by One our hopes grow brighter,
as we near the Shining Shore.
For we know across the River
wait the loved ones gone before"
I know you think this will never end but all the carving on the stones mean something. Cathy found a website that tells their meaning. She printed it out and it was 35 pages so I printed me out a set also. Here are just a few of the carvings I want to share with you.
Hand Pointing up - Hand pointing up to heaven.
Anchor -Hope or eternal life. Often on sailors' graves.
Wheat - A sheaf of wheat represents harvest, usually found on older peoples' gravestones.
Crown and Cross - Symbolizes both victory and Christianity.
Hand pointing down- When Cathy and I saw this we felt the arrow meant they weren't going to heaven, but we felt this awful strong so we were relieved when we found out that it means.
The hand of God descending from heaven.
Crooks - Shepherds crooks, usually found on graves of Independent Order of Odd Fellows members (a fraternal organization. Symbolizes the opening of earth to the heavens.
Clasped Hands - Farewell to earthly existence, unity
