Really, I like the cemetery my people are in.
It’s called Lakeview, but it really doesn’t overlook a lake. Possibly it could if it weren’t for a lot of trees and a road and more trees and a bunch of houses. But still the intent is there and branding is everything.
I’m not much of a gardener (I did buy some plants 6 years ago. And I spray painted my bushes silver 4 years ago – so… green thumb) but suddenly I really feel the need to decorate the crap out of my plots. I’ve planted a rose bush and my parents and siblings planted some pretty red annuals.
That’s kind of the nice thing about this cemetery – it’s festive all around. Almost all of the plots are covered with plants (plastic and fresh) and wind chimes and whirly-gigs and all kinds of what-nots.
Just down from my people is another girl. Two years older than Z, she passed away three months after Z passed. I bring her things too. In my mind, she and Z are friends.
There are plots that are completely edged and mulched and covered in memorabilia and tokens of affection. There are benches under a tree and good shade and rolling hills and a constant nice breeze and signs of life everywhere.
I did not bury Joe because I was afraid of letting him go. His presence gave me a kind of calm. And the thought of letting Z go scared the crap out of me. I did not want to put them into the ground. I hated the thought of it.
They belong with me, they belong in a house, not in the ground. They are supposed to be near me always.
But now I’m okay with it. I like where they are. I like that I can stop on my way home for a quick visit. I’m much more at peace with the situation than I thought I would be.
There are very few places I feel home. I feel like a visitor in Grand Rapids. Even six years in, I still tell people I’m new. Flint feels like home when I drive through it, but it’s not my home. Flint and I have both grown apart from each other. It’s a distant home. The same for Macomb County. It was my home and my heart warms in it’s memory. But, again, the metro area and I have grown apart. Trout Lake never changes. It’s population will never see 400. It won’t get a new store or a new bar. It won’t be home to some hip new brewery. It will always be my escape. My heart beats calmer when I’m there.
Now the Upper Peninsula will always be my home base. What was firm before is now cemented. I left my people there. I will never leave them behind.
Where they go, I will go. Where they rest, I will rest.
I am far too young to be so tied to a cemetery.
0 stars. Would not recommend.
Aloe & Moss 