God's Acre

"Swept away by angels on a Heavenly flight..."

We walked through the dense woods down an old, paved road, Hunter skipping along beside us. The woods gave way to a vibrant green open area...God's Acre in Historic Bethabra. According to Scott's father, we were looking for an unmarked plot outside of the fence line near a tree. This was the place where little William Robert Aldrich was buried and where his mama, Aunt Barbara, his dad, Uncle Bill, and his brother David's ashes would be spread. I couldn't stop thinking that their sweet baby boy should have some sort of marker to show his life...and passing. I wasn't the only one thinking along those lines, as Scott and Yvette quietly discussed making sure he got one soon. I didn't know where my feet were taking me as we made our way through the flat gravestones, but I got to the end of the row and there it was, a stone for the baby lost to this world from Scarlett Fever when he was merely twelve days old. "He's here," I called out to them and stood with them as we read the names carved into the small stone. Where the marker came from is a mystery, but Yvette said, "I feel so much better." "Me, too," I added, "...but without the 'better' part. I just feel so much." I knelt there, remembering all of those I have loved and lost, some of those loses recent and painful. I sobbed because I was grateful someone took the time and care to mark baby William "Billy's" grave. I was glad he was not alone in the woods on the other side of the fence, instead being moved to nestle among the other boy babies who were also lost to those who loved them. We made our plans to return with the ashes later in the evening, and before we left I whispered, "I'll bring flowers when I come back, baby."

As the sun set hours later behind the trees, and a band concert played off in the distance, our small party went to fulfill Scott and Yvette's promise to his parents and lay to rest the members of the Aldrich family who have gone on to the next life. We made etching in colored pencils and Carolina clay of the stone and I read little "Billy" a bedtime story. No eloquent words were spoken, but then none were needed. The promise had been accomplished with great love and sincere devotion. Sleep in peace, Aldrich family.

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Image @ bio.bandeis.edu