Goodbye 2013

Goodbye 2013.  I did not enjoy you at all so I am burying you in this lovely tomb deep in the bayou where you may rest in peace. Before you are gone forever I want to thank you for all you have taught me, the good and the bad.

The first thing you taught me about is about mental illness.  Mental illness comes in many forms.  Sometimes we cannot see it, as it does not bleed, nor does it does not swell up and turn purple.  Some forms of mental illness can be diagnosed and treated.  Some are simply diagnosed.  Some are never diagnosed and live on, affecting all.

Next you taught me compassion.  You taught me it is good to care for those who are suffering and incapable of helping themselves even though they may never appreciate or have the capacity to appreciate what we’re doing. You taught me to do what you can and then when you think you have nothing left in you, do some more.

Which brings me to the next lesson you taught me.  While taking care of others, make sure you take care of yourself, mentally and physically.  Also careful of what you say when you haven’t taken care of yourself, how you say it and be especially careful of what you say on Facebook.  Those who are not close to you may not understand what or why you’re saying something and unfriend you.  Wait a minute, if they unfriend you that quickly, are they really your friend?

The greatest lesson you taught me is about family.  Family is not always the ones you sat around the dinner table with as a kid.  I think Sarah Dessen says it perfectly.

"What is family? They were the people who claimed you. In good, in bad, in parts or in whole, they were the ones who showed up, who stayed in there, regardless. It wasn't just about blood relations or shared chromosomes, but something wider, bigger."

Family is your spouse standing beside you. Family is your grown children and their spouses who are there for you without question. Family is the little grandchildren with their hugs and smiles.  Family is your boss at work, his wife and your photo buddy.  Family doesn't give up on you. Family are the people who are always there for you, no matter what.  And 2013, for teaching me about family, I thank you the most.

Virginia/DC Vacation - Richmond - Hollywood Cemetery

A lot of the charm of Richmond to me was the history.  The present city of Richmond was founded in 1737 and over the years has been the site of several notable events.  A trip to this historic city wouln't be complete without a trip to the Hollywood Cemetery.  Opened in 1849, designed to be like a rural garden and named for the numerous holly trees.

Entrance to the cemetery



One of many of the roads within the cemetery



View of the James River from the cemetery

Resting place of the only Confederate States President, Jefferson Davis

One of the many beautiful monuments

90 ft granite memorial to the more than 18,000 confederate soldiers buried in this cemetery

From the Confederate section

The Black Iron Dog

According to Richmond's Urban Legends, a black cast iron dog used to stand in front of a general store on Broad Street. Every day, a little girl would walk by the store and hug the dog or talk to it sweetly. The little girl died of scarlet fever and was buried at Hollywood Cemetery. Shortly after her death, the cast iron dog was moved to her grave because there was an iron shortage during the Civil War and the owners didn't want the dog to be melted down for weapons. Ever since then, stories have circulated that the dog protects the little girl's grave and that it moves around on her gravesite, that its eyes follow visitors around the park, and that its wild barks can be heard late at night.