Mt. Lebanon Cemetery

I absolutely love walking in cemeteries. There’s just something so quiet, so serene about them. It’s even better in the winter, especially when it’s snowing. Maybe because no one else is out and about, and it makes the world still. A couple of weeks ago I decided to take a walk around the large cemetery across the street from the house I grew up in. I’ve walked in there countless times, even jogged in it ages ago, but it still seemed like something new to me. Perhaps because it’s been close to 20 years since I’d last set foot in it– it’s strange how something familiar can seem so new at the same time.

Anyway, I took some pictures with my phone as the flurries were flying in the wind back in January. I also took some on my Nikon L35AF and I hope to get those developed soon. I sometimes am drawn to a headstone or monument, and sometimes I just happen to see them. Can’t really explain it, but if it catches my eye, I try to snap a picture of it. There are many interesting tomb stones and monuments here– I wish had more time– but it was absolutely frigid– and I was expected for drinks elsewhere!

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I saw this interesting stone– why was Anna never buried here? Did the family move, or did she move away? She was born in 1888, so I don’t think she lived into the 2000s.

I would never call myself a WWII scholar, but I’ve got the basics down pretty solid. My dad reads at least 2 books a week on it– so I’ve absorbed some of this information along the way. But I had honestly never even heard of the Fortress of Schmidt, let alone the Battle of Hurtgen Forest— of which it was a part of. This young man was only 21– I cannot even begin to fathom that.

I’ve mentioned before how there is definitely such a thing as a cemetery tree. I think it’s due to what they’re planted amongst– the dead– and how they continue to grow and shade the living. They don’t always look the same– but there is still a certain look all the same. This one has it, for sure.

Hopefully I can get back here in the spring– when it’s not so cold. There are a couple of other cemeteries I’ve wanted to visit as well– so hopefully I get those in for spring too!