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Mrs. Tubman L. Hall

Living in a house that was built in the mid-1800s is always interesting. Although our modern Sanctuary House has been added onto and "up graded," its heart remains an old farmhouse, and I often think of those who have lived here in the past. Some of them are buried not far from the house. Unfortunately, some of the grave markers are not in good condition, but among the strong ones is the marker for Sarah Hall. I believe she was the matriarch of her family, and I often think about her life here. You know, the important things - the trees, the sky, the mosquitoes in the Spring followed by the dragonflies in the Summer - those kinds of things.

This year the grass around the graves has been cut, but in some years, there are many dandelions carpeting the grave area. . . so many that they were worth a poem:

The Dandelions
(for Mrs. Tubman L. Hall)

Sarah Hall
Died April 28, 1874
Aged sixty-eight
Member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Today, yet another April 28,
Eastertide,
Your grave is
Covered in dandelions:
Brilliant yellow ones
And fluffy, white, gone-to-seed ones.
Your end here, the gravestone says,
Was peaceful and triumphant.

I'd like to go that way -
Peaceful and triumphant
Through the dandelions -
From death into life.

[from Handful of Stars, 2018]


 

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