Sunday Stroll

The Historic Oakland Cemetery in Grant Park, Atlanta hosts an annual Victorian Sunday Stroll through the cemetery and park. Sounds eerie but it isn't. According to their website:

In the late 19th Century, Oakland was a popular destination for Sunday carriage rides and picnics. Families tended the plots of loved ones, creating an assortment of lovely gardens. Atlanta’s first greenhouse was established here in 1870.

J and I went two years ago when C hadn't even been conceived! This was our first time back to the cemetery with a child and i think it was a great little family outing. We toured the beautiful old mausoleums, reflected on epithets, and were saddened by the loss of so many infants. You can be sure you'll see some of these grave markers on following Word of God posts...

Here are some of the highlights with a Bubble Post to follow (so many photos of bubbles that it deserves its own post!)

Cutie Face received a balloon that provided lots of entertainment as we walked around:




She also tested out her legs (and super cute shoes! Thanks Mimi!)



they're still a little big, hence the wobble:



J took C around the mausoleums...


and peeked into the ones that weren't open:



Many famous Atlantans are buried here...for example the Grant family (Grant Park is a little suburb/neighborhood in our area...most famous for being where the Zoo is!)



The mausoleums were really quite impressive from the outside:







as well as from the inside:









and i LOVED the floor inside this one:



Of course, many graves were not inside mausoleums and they were still impressive:



i'd love to know the story behind this sad headstone (wife and daughter):




J and I loved the juxtaposition of this picture (modern train set amongst the ancient 1800 headstones)

there was also a Classic Cadillac show and one person wanted to show off a handsome bride and groom skeleton...blech!

Despite the beauty of the cemetery, sadness resonated...I couldn't help but think of Big Tent Revival's song "Lovely Mausoleum" (you can hear it here, starting at the 3 minute mark...just fast forward until then) or you can read the lyrics below:

Breakdown out on the town
What are you gonna do?
No fun out on the run
Where have you come to?
You know, you built a lovely mausoleum
For your soul
Outside everything's bright
Making it on your own
Inside rotten and dried
Nothin' but dead man's bones
Ain't it a shame, all of the world's a game
You can see everything circling down the drain
Ain't it a shame, all you've been fashionin'
Suddenly crashin' in
Surely you know, you built a lovely mausoleum
Sunrise open your eyes
When are you gonna see?
New day coming your way
What is it gonna be?
Your choice, your voice
You are in control
Jesus, Jesus
He will make you whole
Ain't it a shame, all of the world's a game
You can see everything circling down the drain
Ain't it a shame, all you've been fashionin'
Suddenly crashin' in
Surely you know, you built a lovely mausoleum
You built a lovely mausoleum
For your soul