Friends Of The Fallen Teddies

It’s amazing what can be discovered during an afternoon’s gentle stroll and, it doesn’t matter which direction you head off into or where you end up, you’ll always find something – if you take the time to look for it.

 It was during one of these afternoon walks that an uncanny discovery was made.  I discovered one of the best-ever places for finding art, and believe it or not, it was in the cemetery!

Over and over again, no matter in which direction I strolled, I witnessed timeless artistic classics.  Headstones that were well over one hundred years of age still bore their handmade art and designs clearly, and they stood proudly with pride of workmanship from a time long gone by!

 It wasn’t just the text that stood out in its gothic lettering; it was the art within the art.  Celtic crosses in vast styles and fashions, angels of every size, cherubs both small and stout, vases, both large and small – everything within eye-shot had stood the test of time, and clearly, each and everyone one of them was still looking very fashionable, despite their tiring agedness!

But it isn’t just the old stuff that catches the eyes; it’s the newer designs too.  More and more headstones are becoming very creative as families and loved ones leave their mark of respect that says  that extra ‘something special’ has come from their minds and from their hearts, for both young and old family members, alike.

The images below are just a sample of some of the art that has been discovered.  Designs engraved in granite that say it all, or will do, for at least a century or more.  Images of pets, horses, jockeys, trucks, lucky horseshoes, and wrestling champions – nothing escapes the imagination of what people obviously want.

Of course, not everything can fall into categories such as the above; nor can they be considered artsy even though they mean just as much, if not more, in terms of endearment.  These other areas are just as meaningful as the art shown, only differently put.  They are what I call: “The Friends of the Fallen Teddies.”

Every visit to those areas brings a heavy heart.  It’s not the age, it’s not the photos of those little angels, it’s not the meaningful messages left behind.  It’s the fallen teddies, the little doggies, the bunny rabbits, and the toys all children love to play with…