We have several very old historic cemetaries in Newnan. Many, many husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, dear children, young and aged, soldiers of every war that this country has even been involved in, immigrants and natives have had their earthly body laid to rest in these beautiful cemetaries. As I walked through taking these snapshots, I wondered about each one of these folks. What kind of people they were, what kind of life they had and wondered if they were happy. I saw the beautiful flowers and little trees that were planted or placed as tributes to loved ones.
One that was so faded by time and weather that I could barely make out said: "Ever this day be at my side to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen".
I hope that you will enjoy these pictures and much as I enjoyed taking them....
The only other thing that I feel compelled to say today is this:
If you feel that there is something out of the ordinary going on with your body, please seek the guidance of a physician immediately. I have been the world's worst about this in the past and now I'm paying for it. And please, stop worshipping the sun!! Please stop abusing your body because that's what I did. I thought that I didn't need sunscreen because nothing would happen to me. That is also what some of my younger family members think. Now? I have Melanoma that went down into one of my glands. Thank God it has been removed but I now have to take 6 weeks of Chemotherapy and wouldn't wish that on anyone and they still won't listen. Trust me......that pretty tan isn't worth looking "cute" for and it's certainly not worth dying for.......
******"You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late".******
~~~~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Steady On
Reggie Girl
oh my goodness.... your pictures gave me chills... i love old cemeteries... your words brought tears to my eyes. hope your therapy goes smoothly and that you are back to feeling like your old self soonest!... sending you hugs and healing energy, xoxooxx.... annie
ReplyDeleteI am very sorry. I hope your words to avoid the sun are heeded by many. I will keep you in my prayers dear friend.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to learn of your illness Reggie Girl and hope people heed your warning.
ReplyDeleteThank you for these beautiful photographs, some of the inscriptions are profoundly moving.
Visiting cemeteries gives us an immediate sense of history more than anything else does.
I'm sorry for what you are going through. That is so scary. Yes, I wear my sunblock, but I know there were years as a teen where I thought I was "cool" by not wearing any so I could get a "tan"....
ReplyDeleteI hope these weeks fly by for you.
Hello Reggie Girl, Firstly thank you for visiting my blog and your gracious comment - I do follow your blog but have been so busy recently that I had not caught up with the fact that you have had to have surgery and now Chemotherapy - I send you positive thoughts and the warmest of wishes - take good care of yourself and hope that you are feeling better very, very soon. Veronicaxx
ReplyDeleteI try constantly to get my daughter in laws to stop getting into the tanning beds. They don't listen.
ReplyDeleteI've had many skin cancers removed and it is not a pretty sight, but they still don't listen.
I am so, so sorry for your pain and that you have to endure chemo. I'll keep you on our prayer list that with the tender mercies of the Lord you will be comforted and healed. Miracles and blessings.
I really liked the way you often focused on the inscriptions and dates and sayings, and that it appears you took many of these, appropriately on a gray day.
ReplyDeleteAnd regarding our sudden and undesired theme of cancer and health...I'm glad you pushed check-ups. I am going to add to any men out there over 50 to make sure the doctor does a thorough job with that yucky finger dance prostate check. Neither patients nor doctors like it and it often gets done too quickly so they can check it off the list. Grit yoiur teeth and tell them to be thorough! I can tell you from experience that its a lot less uncomfortable than having it removed.
Probably way too much information for a comment.
Thanks for stopping by our family blog. I'll be following yours from here on out helping you generate as many clicks as possible for your cause.
ReplyDeleteI too was sorry to learn of your illness. I wish I could get my sister to stop worshipping the sun. You'd have thought she would have learned something after being diagnosed of with breast cancer and then going through treatment 7 years ago. Pp and Pt winging your way.
Cancer stinks, you take care now. We'll be here for you as much as we can virtually. BTW, don't love old cemeteries? They are my favorite. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete((((hugs)))) I pray that all goes well with your treatments. I do think it's good that you put the word out there about not being a sun worshiper because while it may seem like no one is listening and heeding your advice, you may reach someone that really needed to hear this.
ReplyDeleteAbout 10 years ago I was working an extra side job at a bread store. And this lady came in and it was apparent that she had had some kind of surgury on her face. She asked me if I went to tanning beds or laid out in the sun and I told her I didn't. And she said good and went on to say that she had been a sun worshipper all her life and now she has skin cancer. It was so very sad. I have never forgotten this and I have shared this story with people that do worship the sun.
These are some pretty cool pictures. I love walking through cemetarys and reading the head stones and think about the kinds of people they were.
Thanks Annie...you're always a ray of sunshine and positive energy....
ReplyDeleteMildred......you are just a blessing to know....
Barry.....your shots are amazing and so are you :)....
Yaya....thank you for your oh so kind words and wishes and keep on spreading the word about sunscreen......
Verronica.....welcome to my blog and I hope to see you often :).....
gigi....you're a awesome lady......
Butler & Bagman....No, that's not too much information. Folks need to know and can never be too informed.....
Chele.....Thank you for your sweet comment and thanks for spreading the word about our local Humane Society.....
**Jeanne**....I chose not to publish your comment as I found it a little condescending. Everyone is fully aware that the sun can indeed be our friend and that we all need Vitamin D. I'm not quite sure how to respond to your comment that "We're not Vampire's"....well seriously?? No kidding....
My message was a very simple one.....please be careful, wear sunscreen and don't lay out in the sun and tanning beds with no protection. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Steady On
Reggie Girl
I enjoyed your post and you are so right...I do some photography and amazing how cemetarys and places like that make such subjects...I will stop by often. Glad I found your blog. You need to visit my dog blog also...http://dogsofallthings.blogspot.com!! Will be thinking about you!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a theme Barry picked for this week. Well, perhaps there is a message in it for everyone. Perhaps it was not an accident.
ReplyDeleteBoth you and Barry have become good friends, so the bad news from both of you is...well, I don't really know what to say. Sobering?
Both you can Barry are strong people with so many friends and family behind you. Even those who have never met you are cheering for you.
I think that both of you will soon be back to your old selves in time.
All your blogger friends are rooting for you two, so hang in there and beat those old nasties. You can do it!
I will email later.
Excellent study of the cemeteries in your beautiful twon. Gosh, you do have towering angels.
Reggie Girl, With having only found out about the Friday Shootout late Thursday night, I will be limited in what I can do today. However, I opened a new blog called "Friday Shootouts From Florida" which I will start posting on weekly. I just didn;t feel like the theme mixed very well with my "Forever Fishing Friends" blog. So, later today I will try to give a flavor of St. Augustine (The oldest European settlement in the U.S.) Thanks for the invitation. Let me know if you have trouble finding the blog.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your graveyard pictures. I have a lot of ancestors buried in those Georgia cemeteries, and a few that were just buried out behind their house. Thanks again. GordonH
Love to you xxx
ReplyDeleteAwesome shots RG! I am posting mine.
ReplyDeleteNot sure of all the rules if there are any!
I gave it my best shot under the conditions!
Sending love and prayers your way.
Love U
NNG
Reggie Girl, you know that my thoughts and prayers are with you! I am happy that you gave the shout-out for sunscreen and check-ups. When I was first diagnosed I did a similar thing. I also got VERY frustrated every time I saw someone smoking a cigarette. Slowly, I came to accept that people are people - we all think that we are invincible and it will never happen to us. Do what you can...but understand that sometimes your words will fall on deaf ears. And that is okay. Focus on your wellness. Biggest hugs to you!
ReplyDeletexoxoxo
Reggie girl, I am just catching up with your posts, and picking up on your news... I feel so much for you that you are going through this right now, and you know that your love and spirit will carry you right through to the other side of it, don't you? You are so strong and so wonderful, you deserve every break in life, and I understand that you feel we are all with you and beside you on this segment of your journey, sweetie...
ReplyDeleteI am sending you what healing love and light that I can, I hope it helps, and I just wanted to say that I always adore these photo and word segments of your life, your environment (I love cemetaries too), your critters and your energy-filled citizens. My love and hugs to you, Fhi xxx
I enjoyed your post and love the pictures!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear what you are going through! I will keep you in my prayers!
I Pray you feel better soon!
I love walking through old cemeteries. Thank you for the pics. Sorry about your illness and the treatments you will have to go through. My prayers are with you.
ReplyDeleteSharon
I am so sorry to hear about your illness and I hope that you get better quickly. I hope that other people who read your blog will realize that it CAN happen to them.
ReplyDeleteThe photos are amazing. I love old cemetaries and have been doing my family tree since 1993 so I have spent quite a lot of time in cemetaries! They connect us to our past in ways we can't even begin to imagine. Thanks for sharing these beautiful pics!
Great pics! Getting caught up on my blog reading. Hope you are feeling better!
ReplyDeleteHey Reggie, The cemetery pics are lovely. Thank you for the tour. I've been praying for you and so hope your treatment goes well. They are so hard on a person but so important to irradicate the disease. Your warning to us is greatly appreciated.
ReplyDeleteWarm hug today, June
I will keep you in my thoughts. I also cannot go into the sun with my fair Irish skin, and was told that my son also would have problems. My father had what you have and treated early he survived, as well as his father. I wear a hat, even in the pool.
ReplyDeleteBTW I love cemeteries...now I may take my camera out and explore a few old ones around here...hugs
I am sorry you are feeling so ill. We need to have a phone catch up this weekend if you are up for it.
ReplyDeleteReggie Girl - your final shot really sums up what I love about old cemeteries. All of your photos are wonderful, and I've found that I cannot spend too much time reading inscripptions, as they eventually make me cry.
ReplyDeleteI am very sorry to hear about your cancer, and please know that I'm sending my positive CA vibes your way. Oh, and as a freckly person with freckly kids, we all slather on sunscreen every morning and afternoon, even on not so sunny days. We all look pale as fish bellies, but I am often mistaken for being younger than my sister (who is actually younger by 3 years). She has always been a sun worshipper, and has olive skin and a year round great tan. She hasn't yet gotten skin cancer, but it runs in the family, so I tell her it isn't a matter of if at this point, but when.
Hey baby cakes~
ReplyDeleteThe deathdigs make great pics huh? I love all of them... I left you a comment on mypost, but I wanted to come over and whisper in your ear.... My Sweet father in heaven, consume my friend , blow on her a mighty wind.. surround her in swirling comfort.. Take from her any pain caused from her medicine... Touch her with your healing hand and bubble up from within her a shout of praise for her healing. I lift your perfect and precious name high... Thank you Lord for your blessing of health and your promises of love... Amen and Amen..
I love the photos. Have faith honey, I too conquered skin cancer almost a year ago and I'm in the clear. I'm so with you on the sun-worshipping, It's not worth it. Good luck, shoot me an email if you need to vent or talk.
ReplyDeletestop worshipping
ReplyDeleteHI Gina
Hope you are well and cured my dear friend-
Great post~ (;>)
hugs, Patty
Hey there Reggie Girl, so sorry to hear the health news, and yes, I used to do the tanning bed thing years ago. I don't anymore, but who knows if I already did damage. :-( It's good you put out the warnings, you never know who you might touch and who might change their ways. Not everyone will, but some might, so it's worth it.
ReplyDeleteMy is that a towering angel in that one photo or what?! Good grief, that appears to be a huge memorial marker. Graveyards may creep me out at times, but I have to admit it is so interesting to see the old markers and read them (if you can). I always wonder about the people who lived -- were they happy, what kind of life did they lead.
I joined the shoot out this week, so I did manage to get some photos up of the South Haven cemetery. I wanted to go by several other graveyards, but I left my list sitting on the kitchen table and time got away from me yesterday.
Do please take care of yourself, and you know we are all thinking of you and praying for you... I am sure you will come through this! :)
I love the cemeteries but I hate that your sick! I hope the young ones listen to you. I have never liked the sun but was pushed as a teenager to be tan. I was glad when pale became fashionable again. I quit smoking two years ago because I knew I was killing myself but it is so hard to quit, especially when you enjoy it! I'll be praying!
ReplyDeleteI love old cemetaries. Looks like I am not alone in that.
ReplyDeleteI preach sunscreen to everyone I know. Being fair conplected, I"ve always used suntan lotion. I've never had a tan, and will never have one. My daughter is dark complected (from her Indian/Hispanic background) and I never COULD get her to use sunscreen. "I don't need it. I don't burn." SHe pays mor attention now that her dad has had several non-milignant cancers removed from his face. But I STILL can't get him to use sunscreen on a daily basis.
Thanks for stopping by my blog and for your kind comment.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts and prayers are certainly with you. Hang in there. Hope you're fit as a fiddle in no time!
I visit cemeteries sometimes, too. I do it for history, and when I've been a selfish brat and need a good reality kick in the pants.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog today. I'm glad I made ya laugh! ;)
I'm sorry about your test results. I used to soak up the rays, too.. I'll heed your warning. God bless you and be healed in Jesus' name.
XOXO sister in Christ!
Cemetaries are creepy but they do show what has been in life dont they?? They are amazing to walk through to see the people and the dates it dates back to. I mean just walking through some have showed many many years back. Amazing really.
ReplyDeleteVery nice - I like the Smith one that is cracked with flowers growing close in front of it.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to learn you are sick, I will be praying for you daily too. :)
~Jen
I had fun exploring your blog today. I loved the angel picture. I think I'd like an angel to watch over me!
ReplyDeleteI love the pictures! And I really love that you are working on a "No Kill" animal shelter. We rescued our dog from being put down, he is such a wonderful addition to the family.
ReplyDeleteThanks for swinging by my blog!
Dear Reggie,
ReplyDeleteI will keep you in my prayings.You are loved by your friends and family. Be positive and above all FEEL POSITIVE, when you get sad look at something very beautiful that makes you feel "better" or happier. Look at your family´s photos, or look at something around you that reminds you something good. Besides, if you get sad, listen to some song that makes you remember in your feelings that you are loved and that you are strong. Intelligence is not "everything in life", we are emotions and feelings, but most of us forget. Cheer up and feel good, this will help in your cure and healing.
All the best for you and keep posting nice posts for us!
Rosana
When I learned of Barry's case, I felt really sad too. He doesn't deserve that.
ReplyDeleteCemeteries look really scary in black and white lol. I noticed that most of the tombstones have something engraved on them, mostly quotes.
What is Melanoma, what's the cause of it?
I hate funerals and funeral homes. (I told my husband if he ever has me laid out in a funeral home or even has a memorial service for me, I will find a way to come back to haunt him.) But, I love cemeteries. One of my aunts lived next door to one and my cousins and I used to play there all the time. In college, in a filmmaking class, I made a film in a cemetery. And when my husband and I lived in the big city, we were two blocks from an old cemetery. It was a wonderful place to walk. Once we got about 30 yards inside the gate, the din of the city was blocked by the trees. Some of the monuments were unusual and unique and many famous people had been buried there, so it was like a history lesson. I'd like to go back some day and take photos.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your illness. Take care of yourself and be well.
I always wanted a tan when I was a teen, but after living in Brazil and getting a couple of bad sunburns (10 degrees from the equator, they were difficult to avoid) I lost my interest in worshipping the sun. If I cannot avoid it, I wear sunscreen and a hat.
You will be alright. My sincere prayers. Take care.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear about your illness and I think it's touching that in a time like this, you're trying to spread the word to help others to avoid having the same happen to them :)
ReplyDeleteSkin Cancer sucks..but it IS curable..hence the chemo.. which really sucks. I am very sorry. All I can offer is an occasional smart remark..and a prayer for healing.
ReplyDeleteYour cemetery photos are wonderful..I love to venture into them just to read the stones..and wonder:)
This is something I always worry about. And yet I've been stupid and seek the color that I think makes me look "healthy". Dumb, I know. I'm so sorry this has happened to you but I'm so glad you found it and are getting treatment. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteI love the pictures. You have such a good eye for this.
I really enjoyed your photos! I would love to visit such an old cemetary. There are some very old ones I saw. I always like to see what the oldest I can find is. Just Beautiful!
ReplyDeletei wish for you all the best with your therapy. Love cemeteries myself, so peaceful). I hope you have around you all the love and support you need.)
ReplyDeleteSelchie.