oh how i am going to miss the cemetery!

i know it’s not your ordinary hang-out spot, but, lakeview cemetery has been my refuge, my solace, my bit of peace and quiet here in this crazy city life of mine. before henry, i walked in the cemetery every day. while gestating henry, i walked in the cemetery every day and sat underneath trees and watched the sun (okay, not often) and mostly watched the clouds and looked at the lake and rubbed my belly and imagined him being on the outside. and after henry was born we walked in the cemetery taking note of the cardinals and the daffodils and the great white oak. and while i was pregnant with violet we walked in the cemetery skirting duck poop and chasing squirrels. and now we walk in the cemetery, me and violet and henry and we point out spring and watch for baby tractors.

i’m going to miss you, cemetery. i’m going to miss your residents. i’m going to miss mr. rockefeller and his big, giant obelisk. i’m going to miss john milton hay. i’m going to miss james garfield’s garish and gothic looking burial place. i’m going to miss the orlando headstone. i’m going to miss the charming family nestled side by side: henrietta, marietta, charletta, antionetta, and tiny baby etta holding up the end of the line.

goodbye, cemetery. save a place for me.