In Charleston, SC

I’ve always enjoyed strolling through cemeteries. Growing up, there was one a block from our home. My sister and I often explored during playtime. Some headstones so old they weren’t readable any longer. I didn’t realize at the time that one day in that same cemetery, both of my parents would be buried there. My first husband and father of my children would be buried there, as well my stillborn daughter. It is a place of comfort to me. I know those people are in heaven with Jesus.

Each Memorial Day, Jim and I visit those graves, scrub the headstones, place flowers, and mostly reflect on their lives.

Bill Rudberg, Carrie Lynn Rudberg

It was a cemetery where my relationship with Jesus began. As a young girl, I realized I needed to ask Jesus to take away my sins in order to have a relationship with him. I knew Christ died for me and wanted to give me the gift of salvation. It was there in a windy cemetery in Henderson, Nebraska, I formally prayed and asked for God’s forgiveness for my wrongs and accepted his gift of salvation. I invited him into my life and my eternal life began that day. All of us are born sinners. Even though babies seem so perfect, we soon find out they aren’t perfect at all. By age four, when I asked Jesus into my heart and life, I knew I needed help. I had a problem with my temper. I was stubborn. I tattled on my older siblings. I lied. Yup, even at a young age, I knew I needed forgiveness and help in my life. Since that time so many years ago now, I’ve had a relationship with Christ Jesus. I knew he was with me. Would forgive me when I failed. Would help me be more loving and more like him. I knew one day, I’d be in heaven with him.

The past week, we’ve been visiting old cities along with one of my favorite places to visit–the cemeteries. They say so much about a culture. Just as in the cemetery of my childhood, many of the tombstones are weather worn and unreadable. They help me think about how short our life really is–even if it is a full life. One day, I will lie next to my first husband. My body will be there until Resurrection Day, but my soul will be with Christ.

L. Harry Barnwell Sept. 6, 1925 – January 6, 1926 Little Brother

Life passes so quickly. Whether we live to be in our seventies like me, or die young like “Little Brother” whose tombstone is pictured above. What do I need to complete? Are there things I need to say to someone I’ve put off? Is there forgiveness that needs to be given–or asked for? Most importantly, have I asked for forgiveness for my sins and invited Jesus into my heart and life? That’s all that really matters.