Recently I was out photographing nature and wildlife and found an unexpected cemetery located in the country. Mature trees, tall grass, brush, and shrubs grew around the stones. Each of the tombstones dates from around the middle to the late 1800s.

With fascination, I have always wandered around graveyards, and especially older ones reading the epitaphs inscribed on a monument, headstone, marker, or memorial that is a message for or a message about the deceased individual or individuals. Usually, they have the deceased’s name, date of birth, and date of death inscribed on them, along with a personal message or prayer details in stone relief. Additionally, I take numerous photographs.

I was admiring the stoneworking artistry of the ornamental carving face of the stone headstones and monuments. As I read the gravestone inscriptions, I imagined who they were and how they lived their lives and what eventually brought them to this cemetery. I considered the drama and tragedy they express.

While walking down the uneven rows of tombstones, I came to one that  was not lighted by the sun. By using a pocket mirror to reflect sunlight onto the unlighted stone, I was able to read the inscription. Inscribed on the face of the stone headstone are my name, date of birth, and date of death on the stone relief.