Day 12 - Driving to Atlanta, GA - 4 Night Stay Ahead


As we begin our four night stay in Atlanta, it's as good a time as any to talk about cemeteries.

As we've made our drive through the deep south we have marveled at the cemeteries. Small ones tied to a family farm, or maybe a few neighbors too. Larger cemeteries at churches, where it seems each had it's own. And a few cemeteries that were identified by a fraternal order or some other important facet of the communities.

What was striking were the flowers.

No matter which state or which town, in the rural areas the cemeteries are noticeable for the abundance of flowers placed at the graves. I would guess that is because these people have a long history of place. Hundreds of years of families living in the same land. Religious people, who honor their ancestors as we did when we placed flowers at Vickie's grandparents graves.

Graveyard after graveyard with flowers everywhere. At first we thought that it was the cemeteries decorating every grave, but closer examination showed graves that remained unadorned. This was the act of individuals who are near.

They haven't moved. These are the folks who don't want to relocate. They don't want the change. If they're prosperous they have no need. If they're poor, they can't afford it. If they are unskilled what difference would it make, at least they're at home.

Religion is clearly a mainstay. But we also saw this on the Interstate going into Atlanta:

15 Acres of Guns & Gear - NRA Atlanta

Probably a few of those graves had a relation to that sign.









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