Wednesday, November 4, 2009

The Message of the Stones

Steve and I have always enjoyed walking in cemeteries. I don't know if that's strange or not, but it's true.

It's so interesting to read the grave stones and the inscriptions and see how long a certain person lived and who passed away first in a marriage, and what children were born and died in a certain family.

The best part of a cemetery though is that it brings to us a sobering and sacred reality check that says, "This is the fate of all men and this is your fate. Never forget that you don't have unlimited time to squander and fritter and waste."

So going to a cemetery is a pleasant excursion and a sobering excursion, all at the same time.

Last weekend in Manteo, we walked up the street to a cemetery that is connected to the family who owns the cottage we're staying in.



As soon as we walked into the cemetery, I saw this sign. After almost losing our beloved little Snowy a couple weeks ago, I had extra compassion and appreciation for a person who loved his horse this much.


This scene made us smile.



Studying the fate of all men.




Bittersweet beauty.






A small farm near the cemetery


I especially loved the epitaph on here. Simply, "Loved."


This man helped the Wright Brothers in their work.





So many grave stones, so many stories, so many life songs sung. And the message of the stones is that life is limited and each day has an expiration date.

I'll close with a few of my favorite quotes on time to remind you and to remind myself how precious every moment is.
  • You may delay, but time will not. Benjamin Franklin

  • Much may be done in those little shreds and patches of time which every day produces, and which most men throw away. Charles Caleb Colton

  • Time goes, you say? Ah, no! alas, time stays, we go. Henry Austin Dobson

  • Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you. Carl Sandburg

_____________________


One quick note on the recipe I posted yesterday. The question was asked about the meaning of "1/2 barbecue sauce." I was obviously overdue for my nap and left out that it was "1/2 cup." Thanks for bringing that to my attention. (I went back and changed it in the recipe.)

Dana said she made the barbecue cups last night and everyone loved them. Her daughter even re-named them "hamburger muffins." Love that!

Pam, I'm not positive if you could use crescent rolls but I would think so. Actually, those may actually even taste better than the biscuits, now that I think about it. I may just try that next time. (If anyone tries the crescent roll variation, please let us know how it goes.)

And Sue G., once again I am sorry for a cheesy recipe; I promise the next one will be cheese-free!
____________________

Thanks to everyone who has been participating in the poll that can be found in the right column. I can't believe how evenly divided the signers and non-signers are!

__________________

Q. Becky I have a lot going on in my head, heart, and body. I have lots of worries over silly things, but this question is bugging me. I just started to see the Hospice Chaplain. Can you please tell me What is the difference between a chaplain, pastor, priest? ---Nancy

A. Nancy, I was just praying for you a few minutes ago and hope that you are enjoying the special time you're having with your family right now, even in the midst of dealing with so many challenges.

As for your question: a pastor is a church leader in the Protestant faith and a priest is a church leader in the Catholic faith.

Chaplains are generally more "specialized" in their ministry; there are hospital chaplains, hospice chaplains, prison chaplains, even rodeo and racing chaplains!

All chaplains aren't necessarily pastors of churches, but they do have similar training, in addition to the specialized training for their particular field of chaplaincy.

Some pastors can also be chaplains; for example, Steve was a volunteer chaplain at our hospital here in Smithfield and was on call for a week every couple of months or so.

I hope I answered your question without confusing you too much! Prayers continue.

________________

Thanks to everyone who has been sharing your "gratefuls" with us. It's been so wonderful to read them!

9 Had Something To Say (Just click here!):

Whitney Hopkins said...

Thanks for your post, Becky. I'm glad to hear that you and Steve like cemeteries too! As a history lover, I have always found cemeteries fascinating, and peaceful, places for exploration, contemplation and photography. I make a point of visiting the cemeteries when I'm in a new place if I have the time, too.

Jenn said...

Just a quick note to tell you that there are also Catholic Pastors. They are the "head" priest in the parish who is in charge of everything. Although we still refer to him as Fr. So-and-So, you will occasionally hear Pastor So-and-So.

It's hard to let something so small and trivial slide when it's your own religion so I hope you don't mind me letting you know.

bearie1 said...

We also enjoy exploring cemeteries, especially the older ones. For the same reasons you and Steve emjoy it.

Regarding using crescent rolls: I read on a blog (I don't think this one but maybe) a recipe called chicken bundles. I wonder if you could use the crescent rolls, and the meat filling to make these. I think you would use the equivelant of two rolls (so you have a square of dough), plop some meat mixture in the middle, and bring the four corners up to the top and tie them together. That would make them somewhat like a piroshki. Elaine

Anonymous said...

Becky, I admire the clarity and conciseness with which you defined the roles of pastor, priest and chaplain. And, in a previous post, the titles of reverend and pastor. Although I've been in (Protestant) church all my life, I, too, needed your in-a-nutshell explanations. Most helpful!
--Lori (Christoffersen) Johnson of Washington state (formerly of Wisconsin)

Kathleen @ Measuring My Life said...

I've never really venture into cemeteries because they just creep me out. But I can see now how they have stores, love the horse and man who helped the Wright's Brothers that you found.

Looked below for that recipe you were talking about. Can't wait to try it out, looks so yummy and easy peasy!

Anonymous said...

I rushed home from work tonight and tried the crescent roll variation. It was great (though a bit awkward to line the muffin tin with the triangular piece of dough). I also tried a second variation in that I used homemade Italian meat sauce. Now I am imagining all sorts of variations on this theme: eggs and ham; chicken with cream sauce; tuna and vegetables with cream sauce; baked beans and sausage; chili; fruit served with ice cream. YOWZA!

GS in Canada

Anonymous said...

Episcopal ministers can also be called Priests (and Rectors). I enjoy walking through the cemetery and mausoleum, and "visiting" old st. louis families and friends.
soooooooo today I tried making the turkey in the crockpot with the cranberry sauce, oj, and onion soup mix. A 4 lb turkey breast was the smallest I could find..... a little too much turkey. so I got everything in the pot this morning before I left for school, plugged it in, and THEN discovered that the knob was off. so, I didn't know if it was on or not. But, when I got home at 5 and the aroma was NIL, I knew the answer. so I put the turkey in the freezer to throw away in the trash along with the crockpot on Friday. heck! maybe I'll borrow a crockpot from church and try again some other time with hopefully a smaller turkey!!!

mrs pam

Lisa Schueler said...

Hi Becky,
I am a long time lurker from Sarah's Caringbridge site. Love you "new" blog. I just wanted you to know that I have been making your yummy recipe for a long time. We call them BBQ Beef Cups, and they are delicious with the crescent rolls. Just wanted you to know that. Have a super day!!!

Anonymous said...

Ok, so the poll blasted me out of my non-commentingness. Here goes....I also love to wander around in the cemetaries. Especially really old ones. Those stones really have character! I found an awesome one in Ponca Arkansas this summer on a camping trip!
Missy H