From Dublin to Drummond- Mahon Family Reunion — The Series –Part 3

Please play while viewing photos

The Old Burying Grounds Perth

Neil Mahon from Perth. He celebrated his 87th birthday last week.

Dublin to Drummond 200th Mahon Family Reunion photo

There is a small clearing near the upper corner of the Old Burying Ground in Perth. This is where the unmarked graves of some of the early Mahon family are located. Saturday there was a blessing of the sacred ground.

Historically, financial limitations and social status were factors in whether a person (even a famous one) was awarded a big fancy marker. Mass, unmarked graves were also common in times of widespread disease or war; plus older markers simply deteriorated over time or were stolen. Another reason might be: other grave sites reflect the wishes of the deceased or family members who simply don’t want a marker, can’t decide on wording, or plan to add one down the line when a loved one passes away and joins them in the plot.

Death is nothing at all.
It does not count.
I have only slipped away into the next room.
Everything remains as it was

The old life that we lived so fondly together
is untouched, unchanged.
Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.
Call me by the old familiar name

Speak of me in the easy way which you always used.
Put no sorrow in your tone.
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes that
we enjoyed together.

Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word
that it always was.
Let it be spoken without effort

Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same as it ever was.
There is unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind because
I am out of sight?

I am but waiting for you, for an interval,
somewhere very near, just around the corner.
All is well. Nothing is hurt; nothing is lost.
One brief moment and all will be as it was before.
How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting,
when we meet again.

May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face.
And rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in
the hollow of His hand.