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These gravestones are located in

OakGrove Cemetery
28th St SE and Kalamazoo Ave
Grand Rapids
Kent County
Michigan USA

Photos taken August 23, 2015

 

 

 

After I had finished taking the photos of the Apsey stones, I wandered around the cemetery because, well… its what I like to do. Cemeteries are full of history and art.

The following picture of Isabelle Slater’s stone practically called to me to take a photo. Almost like it was saying “Look at ME!”. My daughter even commented that there was ‘something’ about the stone. Much later while putting the Apsey lineage together, I discovered that Isabelle Apsey was married to a Slater.  Was Isabelle’s spirit motivating me to include her with the other Apseys I had been photographing or is my DNA connection that strong to recognize one of my ancestors?

You decide.

 

Do not stand at my grave …and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.
by Mary Elizabeth Frye – 1932