Tradition

Just before Christmas there is always a steady tide of visitors to the graveyard beyond the field.
This morning as I was standing guard over Theresa, the old one eyed turkey ( she needs guarding when eating her bowl of corn as the sheep always bully her mercilessly), I watched as lone figures started to arrive at the Churchyard with Christmas wreaths clutched in gloved hands.
The tradition of Christmas wreaths on graves must be a comforting yet bittersweet affair and by Christmas Eve almost all of the newer graves behind the Church will be decorated with circles of Holly, spruce and Christmas flowers.
Our Graveyard is where I would like to be buried. To the North of it lies the pretty Church, and  to the South , fields of horses and the farm of Pen-y-cefn beyond. (Pen-y-Cefn was old Mrs Jones' farm) To the East is the Rectory and the rectory glebe and to West lies my field full of poultry, who are always in constant motion and activity.
The graveyard is surrounded by greenery and animals.
It's peaceful but in a strange way, a dynamic place to be.
As Theresa bolts down her corn, Meirion, another old face from the village, arrives with yet another wreath and as the geese bicker loudly with  Polenta ( the large aylesbury drake) I wave over as he totters between the gravestones to lay it down in the winter sunshine.
I feel like shit, only because I am tired after last night's shift
Being outside and  watching the potentially melancholic  to-ing and fro-ing at the Church , is somehow rather relaxing  and comforting
It's become a tradition all of my own
The Graveyard from the West
Anyhow, With The Christmas Build up, reading blogs will the the last thing on most peoples' minds. so I will take this opportunity to say here's hoping everyone has a  peaceful and gentle Christmas.
Some people here will and some won't , that is the way of the world
I just hope that everyone will


44 comments:

  1. A beautifully kept churchyard. I can see its appeal; but not quite yet!

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  2. Merry Christmas your blog as been so entertaining this year. I will be off to do the graveyard visit tomorrow morning. A Christmas eve visit has become our tradition the past few years.

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  3. A peaceful and happy Christmas to you and those you love.
    Jane and Chris xx

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  4. MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and Chris!!!!

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  5. Merry Christmas to you and Chris.

    I was taken aback a minute thinking Theresa was one of your neighbors. I read it again. Thank goodness you not talking about a neighbor!

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  6. Hope you and Chris have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.
    Love
    Jo xx

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  7. Merry Christmas to You and to Chris and all your wonderful Menagerie ......I hope you have the loveliest of days...
    Finding your site has been one of the great delights of this amazing medium......xxxx

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  8. Today I head to the cemetery with a pot of Christmas flowers decorated with tiny toys and a Santa for my little grandson who lived 21 days and would have been 27 this coming March had he lived....a very nice spot in the cemetery where all the little cherubs are laid to rest. As you say very comforting....You, Chris and all your loved ones have a blessed Christmas and New Year....and many many more!

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  9. My Christmas will be quiet as I am far away from family. And I will always look for your blog, dear John - your posts are delightful!

    Nancy in Iowa

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  10. I have a spot picked out for my ashes, now if my family remembers - well, I guess that doesn't matter. :-D

    Mama will get her flowers a little late this year, I'm sure she won't mind.

    Have a wonderful Christmas with your family after you've had some sleep!

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  11. Happy Christmas John. x

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  12. John, I arrive in Dublin Dec 27 and first thing ...I will stand facing Wales and wave to you. Watch for me.

    Thanks so much for all the great blogging in 2012. Don't you DARE stop.

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  13. I really like graveyards. Even ones in large cities are quite lovely and peaceful, the older ones that is. The only room left in my town (City) is a horrible space near the highway with a big sign visible from the 8 lanes of traffic saying "And on your left.....Eternity" Exactly where I do not want to be buried. My father is buried there and I have never even been there. I've not found "the perfect spot" yet, but will in time.

    John, I wish you and your family a very happy Christmas, and like you say a peaceful one. Your blog is one of my favorite reads. Such simple tales of mice and men that always inspire and make me think.

    Chania

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  14. Hi John, I visited my mothers grave and my grandparents and uncles grave yesterday with 2 wreaths. It was heartbreaking, reading your blog reminds me lots of other people are going through the same process at Christmas missing loved one's. Have a great Christmas and I look forward to reading your blog posts.

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  15. Merry Christmas to you, too. I wonder if it's a comfort to the visitors to see that their loved ones are watched over by a scruffy gay farmer who cares enough about an old one-eyed turkey to guard her dinner. I'd like it, myself.

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  16. peace, health and happiness to you and yours John.

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  17. Dear John,
    Wishing you, Chris and all of your family and friends the most wonderful Christmas ........ enjoy every minute. Much love. XXXX

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  18. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas. Me personally I want to be buried in a very quiet church yard under a tree with no plastic solar lights allowed in the church yard!!

    Gill

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  19. I live next to a cemetery. I like it. From my vege patch i can see all the comings and goings, it's a very peaceful thing to do while weeding or watering.

    I hope you and Chris have a lovely, peaceful day. eat, drink and be merry!

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  20. Hope you have a great Christmas too xxx

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  21. Amen! Merry Christmas and a peaceful one to you, all, too. ♥

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  22. Me too. Happy Christmas John, Chris and little critters xx

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  23. Happy Christmas to you and all of yours John The Dogs!

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  24. My first thought on looking at the churchyard was how well kept it is which I notice was Cro's comment - must be in the genes. Our parents lie together in the Welshampton churchyard.

    I do enjoy your blog. Wishing you, Chris and all your menagerie a very Merry Christmas.

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  25. The churchyard is in a lovely spot. Have a lovely time all of you xxxxx

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  26. Now there's a coincidence! I'm off over to the crematorium tomorrow to leave flowers on my mother's little memorial garden, and, yes, it will be a both comforting and bittersweet visit. Yours is a lovely graveyard - very neat and tidy. Happy Christmas to you and yours. Elizabeth xx

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  27. Have a fabulous time and I hope you're not working too much over the holidays. x

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  28. Get a good night's sleep, and have a very nice Christmas.

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  29. Peace and happiness and a big piece of pud be yours dear John.

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  30. One of my few great sadnesses in life is that I am unable to visit my mother's grave. She wanted her ashes to be scattered on a beach in Cornwall so that she could be swept out to sea.

    Happy Christmas to you and yours and I hope it passes quietly and uneventfully ........

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  31. Happy Christmas to you and Chris!

    I am too far away to lay wreaths on any family members' graves, but would like to take a wreath down to the ocean and cast it into the sea in remembrance.

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  32. Such a peaceful resting place, I can see why it soothes your soul, to watch the visiting families pay their respect to loved ones.
    Rest up, and enjoy your together time.
    A very Merry Christmas to you both, my dear bloggy friends...
    ~Jo

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  33. Happy Christmas to you, your family( 2 or 4 legged) and to all my fellow readers as well, where ever you may be :)

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  34. Here's wishing you and yours all the very best for Christmas and the new year p.s. did I tell you that I like the new colours on your blog (so much easier for this blind old bat to read). Cheers!

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  35. Hope you have a Merry Christmas

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  36. We will! Thanks Old Bean!!

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  37. Ah, spreading your seed with the old, one-eyed turkey. That's what Christmas is all about.

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  38. May it be high on fine food and wine and low on regurgitated mouse parts. Jx

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  39. Wishing you and Chris and the furries and feathered a fab nosh and booze filled christmas. I'm looking forward to my 1st xmas day with other humans in 11 years!!

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  40. Thank you talking about Christmas wreaths on graves. I placed one on my dear parent's grave on my way to spend Christmas in London. Because of severe weather warnings in Wiltshire I stapled my wreath to the still relatively fresh grassy mound (my mother died a few months ago) with wire hoops. Though with a family of deer living in the cemetary, most flowers and fresh vegetation are soon devoured.

    Wishing you and Dr Chris and your menagerie a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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  41. Thank you for your blogstories, they keep me grounded, somehow. A very happy Christmas and a healthy, brave, bright New Year to you and all you know and love.

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  42. I had a very bad night's sleep Thursday but Friday morninh( our only sunny dry day ) got out for a dog walk / rant with a friend which lifted my mood !

    Happy Christmas John. No not everybody will be having a good time. A walk through the graveyard is a solumn thing - I did it last week.

    Best wishes for the new year x

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