Local Cemetery Vandalism

Most of the time I think of vandalism being done by kids with nothing better to do. Vandalism happens all over the country on cemetery grounds. I never like reading these articles. Tonight, I read an article about vandalism at a cemetery in Alameda County. The person who performed the vandalism was not a teenager and apparently felt he had real reason for what he did. He has been arrested and is in jail. I am amazed at the cost of the clean up.

You can read the article here at the Mercury News dot com site.






Copyright © 2012 by Cheryl Palmer

Chapel of the Chimes-Andrews

Martha West Andrews ~ January 12, 1942 ~ March 8, 2004.

RIP

Located at Chapel of the Chimes in Hayward, California. I took this photo October 27, 2008 when I was visiting my relatives who have their final resting places in this cemetery. I have relatives of relatives interred here and a high school classmate. As I am thinking of this and remember the classmate, I realize I haven't been to her place of rest in a very long, long time. I will put that on my agenda the next time I am there visiting.

Copyright © 2012 by Cheryl Palmer

Ceremony at Oak Knoll Cemetery ~ Was Cancelled

Apparently the ceremony which I posted about in my last post here and was to have been held last Saturday, had been cancelled. Daniel apparently forgot to send me that message. I was informed it was cancelled due to weather conditions, although I went there and it was nice. A bit windy and cool maybe, but no rain at all, and that was to be the only reason for cancellation that I was aware of.

I had spoken with Daniel via e-mail and had hoped to take a few pictures to share on the blog here, which seemed ok with him, well, at first anyway. Upon returning home there was an email that had been sent to me that they preferred not to have photos. Ok, I only wish that was said up front, I can and would have respected that if I had been aware.

I was disappointed when I went to Oak Knoll and no one was there. I decided to walk through the area anyway, and took some pictures. The place could use some clean up for sure. It isn't drastic, but some clean up would be nice.

The Old Oak Knoll Cemetery Grounds. Livermore, California. Photo taken March 18, 2012 by Cheryl Palmer

This site was a bit sad for me, seeing the blanket. Knowing there are homeless in the general area of course it made me wonder if someone had been making this area their home, or should I say "their bedroom." To the right of the blanket is a little hole in the shrubbery where someone could crawl in and be a bit protected from the rain and cold. The garbage here and there on the property isn't unusual as high school kids use the grounds as a short cut on the way to school.

One section at the bottom of the hill is planted every year with Daffodil bulbs.

In the spring they bloom. A side street to this hill is a fairly busy street going into and out of Livermore, and you can see the flowers from there as well. This area is know as Daffodil Hill. The flowers were blooming when I was there last weekend. The next pictures I am sharing are from the bottom of the hill, close to that street.

The Old Oak Knoll Cemetery Grounds. Livermore, California. Photo taken March 18, 2012 by Cheryl Palmer

The Old Oak Knoll Cemetery Grounds. Livermore, California. Photo taken March 18, 2012 by Cheryl Palmer

The Old Oak Knoll Cemetery Grounds. Livermore, California. Photo taken March 18, 2012 by Cheryl Palmer

As I was finishing up walking and picture taking, I happened to stop to admire a view over the high school and off into the hills. I was in a kind of daze when all of a sudden I heard someone speaking. I jolted and did a quick turn to look to see who it was. It was a lady walking down the hill on the path towards me. I looked back in the direction I had been gazing when I heard this woman say "She is just standing there."

It felt as though she had actually stopped walking and started whispering when she said this, but I heard her. She kept walking and talking right on by me. I had an immediate feeling she was associated with what would have been "the ceremony." I watched her as she walked right next door to the high school parking lot to where a yellow Jeep was parked, right in front of my view.

There were a couple people in the Jeep waiting for her. The feeling I had was that this group made their way over to see the area for themselves. The woman had been scouting the grounds, and I believe saw me and knew who I was. I am terribly disappointed that she didn't stop to talk to me, and that they didn't perform their ceremony. I also have a feeling they may be back to hold the ceremony, but won't be apt to fill me in on when.

Copyright © 2012 by Cheryl Palmer

Tombstone Tuesday - Silva-Symbolism

Location: Pleasanton Pioneer Cemetery

MIS. SILVA

BORN IN

WESTERN ISLANDS

1847

DIED

SEPT. 18, 1893

AGED

46 Y'RS.

_____

REST IN PEACE

There is a cross and a crown at the top of the headstone symbolizing both victory and Christianity. Sometimes this symbol denotes a member of the York Rite Masons.

Copyright © 2012 by Cheryl Palmer

THIS SUNDAY ~ Ancestor-honoring Ceremony at Oak Knoll Cemetery

This Sunday, March 18, from 11am-3pm at Oak Knoll Cemetery in Livermore, Daniel Foor will be conducting an "Ancestor-honoring Ceremony." The following is reposted (with permission) from Daniel's website, Ancestral Medicine explaining this event. His website gives details about his ancestral work, earth offering rituals, personal sessions and ministerial services. There is a section "About Daniel" along with some testimonials and a place where you can subscribe to his newsletters. Take a peak at his website and maybe I will see you at Oak Knoll on Sunday!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Places of burial are seen as a sacred ground by both secular and religious cultures worldwide, and conversely, desecrated graves are seen as potential sources of spiritual disturbance. By assuming communal responsibility for honoring the local dead, we can enjoy nourishing relationships with the ancestors and support our communities to be places of spiritual vitality and health. This community teaching and ceremony will focus on ways to honor the ancestors of place and will be held at a historically desecrated and abandoned cemetery near a public high school in Livermore, Ca. Oak Knoll Cemetery was the final resting place of about ninety early Livermore residents from 1873 to 1931; however there are no longer any grave markers or monuments. The area is now a public park in a state of disrepair and a popular destination for ghost hunters. Upon arrival, we will clean up any garbage from the area, and discuss in circle beliefs and practices regarding the ancestors. We will then offer an inclusive, heart-centered ceremony to convey our respect and goodwill to the spirits of place. No prior experience is necessary and the offering will be interfaith and welcoming to people of all backgrounds.

Logistics:We'll gather from 11am-3pm (2:30-3pm time for group lunch after ceremony, bring your own). We'll still gather in light rain and cancel for severe weather. Please bring a simple natural offering (e.g., flowers, cornmeal, tobacco, ash, spirits/whiskey/etc.) to contribute to the ritual. $40 suggested contribution. Confirmation in advance is helpful.

Copyright © 2012 by Cheryl Palmer