My work duties may be changing in a big way soon….maybe (in a good way)….but that’s all I’m really going to say about that because that is not the major point of my post, and not yet reality.

I want to mention my new project I am starting.

With all my genealogy research  I see multitudes of people, people that are the reason I am here today, all reduced to a name on a list. Sure, some of them are more well known and have stories about their lives, but so many are just lost. Sometimes there isn’t anything but a first name. And sometimes there isn’t even that. All lost.

I’m starting a project, sort of an art project, where I will go to cemeteries all over as opportunities arise, and take pictures of graves. I want to create a photo blog type website with pictures of graves, and will do a little research on each person to go with the picture of their grave.

This is my way of not only coping with the knowledge of death, but also recognizing those who have been long forgotten and allowing them to be seen and remembered again…even if only in name and where their body lies.

I just purchased my URL, and am in to process of putting all the guts of it together.

I think this is a beautiful project, and for the time being I want to see it out. I’m know that this is a coping mechanism for death, but it is also a way to express my emotions in an artistic way. This gives me an artistic, emotional outlet.

Even if I’m lucky enough to take advantage of technologies allowing me to live far beyond my evolutionary programmed life span, I will most certainly see my parents and many loved ones die. A harsh reality of life. A reality that affects every single person on Earth.

My Mother-In-Law that I love dearly has less than a year at best. Maybe this is also a way to help me come to terms with her forthcoming death as well.

So, for at least a little while, I am going to indulge in this strange fascination with visiting cemeteries and seeing all the markers for those that are no longer. Human beings that loved their life as much as me. Humans that loved other humans. Humans that did not want to die….but did.

This is what my genealogy research has sparked within me, and I must follow this urge.

I’ll post the site once I get it functional.

May you all live long, and enjoy all that life has to offer.

After all, we are the lucky ones that get to die, for only those born can die. Think of all the multitudes of people that were never even born, and thus never lived to have the privilege of dying. (Yes, this is a Dawkins paraphrase). :-p