I was reading in my book Treasures New and Old, when I came upon a chapter of epitaphs.

There are quotes taken from the tombs of children, men and women. Some of them really got to me. If you have ever strolled in an old cemetery and read tombstones you know how sobering it is. These speak to those who have left an indelible imprint on the lives of those left behind.

The first, and the shortest on a tomb named "Nellie" -

"She flung but one shadow, and that only when she died."

That short epitaph is fleshed out further in this one on A.B.P.'s tomb --

"Thy greeting smile was pledge and prelude

of generous deeds and kindly words;

In thy large heart were fair guest-chambers,

Open to sunrise and the birds;

The task was thine to mould and fashion

Life's plastic newness into grace;

To make the boyish heart heroic,

and light with thought the maiden's face."

I just love that, her greeting smile was a pledge of goodness to come; what a wonderful thing to say about someone. And what a heritage, to inspire the young to heroism and enlightenment.

And this line from a tomb simply inscribed H.B. - "The friend of man, to vice alone a foe

'For e'en his failings lean'd to virtue's side."

I'll leave off with this tender epitaph about "Lottie" -

"Ah, can we live and bear to miss,

Out of our lives, this life how rare?

Tender, so tender! an angel's kiss

Hallowed it daily unaware;

Gracious as sunshine, sweet as dew

Shut in a lily's golden core,

Fragrant with goodness through and through,

Pure as the spikenard Mary bore;

Holy as twilight, soft as dawn,

She has gone."

Photo of "Asleep in Christ" from the Internet.