Visiting the Cemetery

A cemetery is a place where we bury our dearly departed loved ones and family. Most of us have the notion that it is a dark, creepy place to be at. I must admit I had the same notion, up until two years ago. After all, I grew up watching scary movies and TV shows about cemeteries where dead people rise to haunt the living.

My dad passed on two years ago. His family insisted that his final resting place be at the family mausoleum. My aunts and uncles bought some lot in some out of town memorial park as final resting place for my grandfather who passed on in 1996. I've never visited the cemetery until my late dad was laid to rest there. Since then, we've scheduled an annual visit to pay our last respects.

Visiting the dead in the Philippines is usually done on November 1st. We usually avoid the huge crowd and the slow traffic so we go a week or two earlier. This year was no exception.

Looking at the deserted streets, wide open spaces, and the peace and quiet all around, the cemetery is the perfect place to do one's own reflections in life. The fact that the location is rather far from the city where we live, we have scheduled the cemetery visit only once a year. This, in a way, also makes it a family bonding.

Since my dad passed on, I have realized that life is short. Somehow, the death of a close family member has pushed me to evaluate what I value most in this life.So I try to spend as much time as I can with my loved ones.

Our cemetery visit is not only a time to look at our past actions. It is also another chance to appreciate the beauty of life and being alive. Plus, looking around some of the family mausoleums amazes me. It makes me wonder sometimes how the dead could have a grander abode than the living. I've shared some photos below to illustrate the point.

On a final note, I leave you with this quote from Khalil Gibran (1883-1931):

"Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens."

Be inspired. Live life. Think positive thoughts.