A dreaded sunny day, so I meet you at the Cemetry Gates

Listening to one of the, like, 50 NPR podcasts I currently subscribe to the other day, I caught a segment during which one of the disembodied voices whispering into my ear (from the radio! not mah crazy!) stated that “you can't truly appreciate life unless you spend a few minutes every day thinking about death.” I wish to god I could remember the context, but I can't, and it's beside the point, really. Because guess where I just so happened to be listening to this podcast? A cemetery! I believe Alanis Morrisette would say that's ironic, doncha think?

For a couple of months now I've been taking daily walks in a small, neighborhood cemetery about two blocks from our house in Baltimore. The entire plot is maybe as big as a football field, with a paved track-and-field-like oval-shaped circuit running through it and a small brick chapel in its center. It's like the Germans who founded my hood back in the early 1800s decided to mash-up eternal rest with the 400 meter dash. That's German efficiency for you: the place is the BMW of cemeteries. I wonder where the cupholder is?

The ever-so-slightly-phallic chapel

Initially these walks were undertaken with a Bataan Death March level of enthusiasm (HEALTH. IMPORTANT. MUST. KEEP. WALKING. BLAARGH.), but over time I've come to look forward to them. Getting out into the world and nature once-a-day and getting away from the hypnotic glow of the computer screen is good for my soul I've found, and I think there is indeed something to be said for standing before a silent field of gravestones every day. In fact, confronting my mortality daily hasn't been a bummer at all. Ridiculous as it sounds, when I'm walking the circuit of the cemetery I feel among friends, and at ease. It isn't spooky, or creepy, or disturbing in the slightest. It feels to me as though I'm visiting my neighbors, paying respects to those who walked the streets of my hood before me. Tipping my hat to my predecessors, as it were.

Let's just hope none of them come calling to borrow a cup of sugar.

What brings you a feeling of well-being or happiness that others might find, errm, odd?

Comments

[Jo]

You are too funny. No, really, you just made me spit up some coffee laughing.

Something I like to do that people might find odd: I like to watch shows like "Cheaters." Somehow this gives me a feeling of well-being. As in, at least my life doesn't suck THAT much.

[kdiddy]

ur goth!

[sweetney]

dood, goth? i r just sentimental about mah hood and shit.

also, you are filled with suck for not answering my question.

[foodmomiac]

I like sitting by myself at a bar for dinner, reading a book. It makes me feel independent, special, serene. Just love it.

[Lisa]

Ya know I used to be freaked out by cemetaries. Didn't want to go near them. But since living in a pretty icky town cemetaries are one of the only places I can go to shoot pictures. Now I kind of dig them and have sold quite a few shots of the statues.

Anywhere that brings you peace is a good thing. For me personally taking my camera anywhere and shooting gives me peace.

[SharonO]

You're not goth. When I was a teenager we used to live across the street from a large cemetery, full of winding roads and big old oak trees. My grandparents were buried there and I used to love walking around there, visiting them and their 'neighbors'. I learned to drive stick there (no worries about killing anyone ... HA!). And when my kids were born and I moved back 'home', I used to push their stroller through there daily. It was very peaceful.

I live in NC now and when I really need to get away, I go down to the river. Well, not just to the river, really ... I walk around the town commons, which was under water in '99 during a flood, and imagine what it would have been like underwater ...

Wow, ok, most morbid AND longest comment FTW!! Heh, sorry, just trying to let you know you're not the only one. :)

[ozma]

Well, now that it is winter I have this obsession with the gas fireplace at my local Starbucks. This might not seem odd to the average person but in my world STARBUCKS IS WHERE SATAN SELLS MAPLE OATNUT SCONES.

My husband plotzes when he sees that frequent charge of $2.14 on the credit card. Luckily, I found another cafe with (almost) fair trade organic coffee that also has a gas fireplace. And it's owned and run by lesbians. Wooh! So my ethical torment is over. Unless they are closed.

[dlyn]

I find walking through cemetaries very relaxing actually - quiet, peaceful, restful. But not in a creepy way. Being by myself is also relaxing - spending too much time with people makes me tense. That is where the cemetary comes in handy I guess.

[laura]

I've been enjoying the process of removing wallpaper from our kitchen. Is that odd?

I also enjoyed your Smiths reference. Though, of course, I'll be humming "Keats and Yeats are on your side" for the remainder of the evening.

[joy]

hmmm. lately it's been cleaning out my email in-box. seriously. i'm all over Merlin Mann and his lovely little tips on being happy and productive.

[Fairly Odd Mother]

Someone just told me about this 'death' idea from NPR. I do like the thought that you can't really appreciate life without thinking about the fact that you aren't going to be here forever.

And, what brings me happiness? Having the time to read a lot of books to my kids, and having the house picked up, laundry folded and kitchen cleaned. It's a wonder I'm ever happy.

[Laura]

I grew up walking around cemeteries in east texas and I still find it soothing. I have been known to actually drive across town to a cool cemetery, go for a walk, then drive back home.

[BaltimoreGal]

Yes, your song reference filled me with happiness.

I love walking my dog. And I also love cemeteries- I have ever since I was a child. I find them to be places of peace and history.

Weird vacation idea- people go out of their way to visit them in central VT (I lived there, too) because the craftsmen made such beautiful sculptures out of the local granite. I liked it there very much, too.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/hopecemetery/

[Susan]

Nothing weird comes to mind right now for myself. As far as walking in cemetaries, I can see how peaceful that would be. Unfortunately, I'd be taking my life in my hands if I did that where I live. It's not the already dead people living there, it's the living homeless.

[Liana]

I love cemeteries too! So, either you're not weird, or a whole bunch of us are. Maybe both? :)

The things I do to feel peaceful aren't that odd...but one place I went to for the first time recently that I MUST go back to is Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh. It's all these connected hothouses/ greenhouses full of plants and pathways and little streams and such, plus an outdoor Japanese garden. I just fell in love and felt so nourished and happy there.

[Jodi]

I'm not so sure about cememteries, but I love a walk in the middle of the day somewhere children are playing. The more the better. Like a school at recess. The blend of the children's voices laughing in the distance gives me an all-is-well in the world sense of peace.

[betsy]

Weird thing that thrills me: grocery shopping. Everyone I know hates food shopping, but I love it. I even love taking my 2-year-old with me. Clearly, something is badly wrong with me.

[Jonah Lisa]

I find peace in doing our family bookkeeping--bills paid, statements reconciled, money left over.

Also in picking at things... Chipping paint, peeling sunburns, etc

[Napacat]

Keats and Yates are on your side.

My husband cannot reconcile the fact that I LOVE to watch America's Next Top Model. It goes against his whole idea that I am vaguely smart.