An Unusual Family Outing

Matthew has been asking for some time to go visit a cemetery that we pass several times a week (across from the Winco on the west-end of Hillsboro.)  I'm not sure what his fascination is with the place, but it's probably mainly that there is a huge grave marker (It's like a miniature Washington Monument) in the far corner of the cemetery that he wanted to see up close.

 Anyway, it was a beautiful evening several days ago, so the four of us headed over there after dinner to look around.  And call me weird, but it was actually really cool to walk around a cemetery!  This cemetery was established in 1860.  I.e. a really long time ago!  There are pioneers buried there!  For almost an hour, we meandered through the rows looking at a majority of the grave markers, trying to guess someone's life story based solely on their name and two dates.  With some of the stones, you get a more specific idea of what their life was like, because the dates will be both in the same year (a baby), or it would state the war they fought and/or died in.  Some say, 'beloved husband and father' or other similar sentiments.  There were lots of family plots, and we would try to guess at how they were all related.  Some of the really old ones actually will tell you with words like "son" or "wife" under the name.  We found lots of last names that are the same as certain local roads we drive on (like "Tongue," "Shute," "David Hill," "Grabel," and our town's namesake - "Cornelius").

There were some gorgeous Oregon White Oaks there.  Probably at least as old as the cemetery!

The monument Matthew had been wanting to see

The oldest person we could find (although some others died before this person)

Dan explaining to the kids how the dead in Christ will be raised at the Rapture to meet Jesus in the air

Heading over to the opposite side as the sun set

The only cross-shaped marker in the whole place!

 

It was an interesting experience to, for about an hour, almost feel like we were in a peaceful and simple era of calico dresses and sunbonnets, even though there were cars zipping along Hwy 8 right next to us.  It was a good reminder to reflect on how fleeting life is and wonder what sort of an impact we each have on others during the brief stay we have here on earth.

"What is your life?  For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes."  ~James 4:14

"Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near."  ~Isaiah 55:6

"So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom."  ~Psalm 90:12