Regret at Grave Over the Undone

“The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone.” Harriet Beecher Stowe

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Looking down into the graveyard in Jerusalem. I believe this is the Mount of Olives Cemetery. There are about 150,000 graves here.

Rocks were on top of many of the tombs.

My dog of 20 years passed away January 29, 2012. So I have been thinking about how fragile and fleeting life and relationships are.

I will never again have an opportunity to show my appreciation and love to my fine dog, Chip. I have some regrets. I wish I could do some things differently and do more of other things.

But I have been taking special care to let people know what they mean to me these last few weeks. When they pass away I don’t want to be plagued by “I wish I would have said this or done that.” What do you do to show people that you appreciate them?

Burial plots waiting for the sarcophagus

Photos from 2009 Trip

“Many Jews have wanted to be buried on the Mount of Olives “since antiquity,” based on the Jewish tradition (from the Biblical verse Zechariah 14:4) that when the Messiah comes, the resurrection of the dead will begin there.”.^[19]

Flat Bryce and Flat Theresa Show Their Respect by Leaving a Stone

Rocks on Tombs

Pastor Mike told us it is like placing flowers at a grave (as is common in many religions). You place a rock there to show that the deceased is still remembered. This person had a lot of visitors.

Related Posts . . .

I am linking this to the WordPress photo challenge regret.

NOTE: I have the good fortune to partner with Fawnda from Fireflies and Jellybeans for a giveaway of her tote pattern to a Fruitfulwords reader. (I was one of her pattern testers.) Go to this link for the details. The deadline to enter is February 26, 2012.

Entry filed under: Main, Photo-a-day. Tags: Jewish cemetery, regret, Wordpress Weekly Photo Challenge.

Regret Over the Closed Door These Are Five of My Grateful Things

5 Comments Add your own

1. 2e0mca | . at .

Very interesting post – I never knew that about the stones! I’m sorry to hear of your loss. May your happy memories help to ease the pain.

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- 2. susan2009 | . at .
  
  Yes I thought this was interesting information. I like learning about other cultures.
  Yes my happy memories of Chip do help ease the pain. Thank you for your condolences and for visiting my site.
  
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3. orples | . at .

Condolences on the loss of your dog. My animals are like children too. It helps ease the pain when you think though, some animals never know love in their entire lives. Obviously, your dog was blessed through his years being loved and cared for. Now that he has passed, may he RIP.

The photos your posted are extremely interesting, as is the history of the cemetery. It’s kinda cool just to walk through and read the names and dates on the headstones and think of what life may have been like for past generations.

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- 4. susan2009 | . at .
  
  Thanks for your words, Orples. It is sad the way some animals are treated. There are feral cats at my apt complex and sometimes my heart breaks when I hear them meowing. If I wasn’t allergic to cats, I think I’d have a house full.
  
  I also think cemeteries are interesting. Have you ever done grave rubbing? We did a few times in England. It’s a cool way to bring the dates/names home with you.
  
  Thanks for visiting my site.
  
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- 5. orples | . at .
  
  You’re welcome. I look forward to circling back to check out more of what you have to offer.
  
  No, I’ve never done grave rubbings, but have strolled thorough various cemeteries, especially the older ones.
  
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