I see graves like this frequently, all too frequently. However, that sounds censurious, and who am I to cast stones. Speaking of stones ...
Gladys Amy McDonald died in November 1956. She doesn't sound Jewish, nor does she sound 'continental'. So ... why the pebbles? And why the pattern? Although they look recent, have a close look around the base of the pebbles, at the build up of mould and soot. They have been there quite some time. In the Cemetery Index for Point Clare, Gladys is only recorded as having a father (Harry) and a mother (Amelia). The birth records for the state of New South Wales can only be searched up until 1911, and she was not born prior to that, well not in NSW at least. Meaning she was younger than 45. Her father died in 1981, and her mother later than that. Neither of them rest in Point Clare Cemetery. I am guessing that Gladys was much much younger than 45 But why the pebbles, and why the pattern? |
| Stumbled upon in Point Clare Cemetery, Gosford, whilst looking for something else entirely. |
Welcome to the 45th week of
Taphophile Tragics. Your contribution is most welcome. Please ensure that you include some details of the cemetery in which you took your photographs, and link directly to your post, rather than simply to your blog in general. This week, Mr Linky opens at
9:30 PM Monday, Sydney time (GMT+11), and closes at 9:30 PM on the Friday.
9 comments:
It looks like sometimes the little stones are more moving and last longer than the tombstones.
Yes, I agree, Dina. I see the immensely sad hand of Harry and of Amelia, as they place each stone at Gladys' head. Those who remain try to cope with their loss, and each pebble is a step on the way to coping.
Interesting and curious.
They look as if they are arranged in a heart shape, a touching tribute from someone she was dear to.
I think people have just adopted the Jewish custom of leaving pebbles as a mark of respect. It's a shame that the pebbles will last longer than her grave.
Beneath Thy Feet
a mystery...a frustration...an imagining! a heart...affection, love...someone who lives far away and can only come rarely? for what ever reason I'm happy a heart was left :)
makes me wonder if the heart shape was made at one visit or if it was added to, one by one, over time.
The pile of stones dates back to before there were formal grave markers. Each visitor to a grave added a stone. Not a bad custom, though I always feel bad in a Jewish cemetery when some graves have lots of stones and others don't.
Still planning on more Hawai'i taphophile posts when time allows.
Leaving stones is not exclusive to Jewish people. :)
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