It’s not a place I frequent on a regular basis, but every time I go to Simonstown, I pass it. I’ve often thought of stopping in to look at a bit of the history of the war graves. Yesterday I did…
The Commonwealth War Grave cemetery at Simonstown is immaculately maintained. The grass is well kept, short and green. There are no signs of weeds and the plants between the graves are lovingly nurtured. According to the Commonwealth War Graves website, there are 77 burials from WW1 and 106 from WW2. Mostly are naval personnel who worked at Simonstown for Commonwealth countries. While some of the wording on the tombstones has faded, most can be read and each one tells a story. From infants tragically dying to those who died late in life, but mostly the graves are of strong young men whose lives were cut short in their prime while serving their country in our land. The stories are underscored with sadness…too many…too young.
The view from the garden is spectacular…
Towards the back of the graveyard stand two large tombstones. The first is of Thomas Henry Bentley.
The wording says that he died on 24th April 1972 aged 86 years. “Of great integrity – a faithful servant to his country”.
Next to this grave, another has been erected…
His wife, Edith, died 15 months after he did. I love that they are buried next to one another. I love that their memory is “to the Glory of God”. I love that they had 64 years of marriage and both died at aged 86, old and full of years. A long life is a blessing.
Walking through the graveyard is a sobering exercise. It gives rise to understanding of the brevity of life. Whether we live a long time or not, the end of our days will soon come. In the light of the length of eternity, our lives really are very brief…just a moment and they are gone. Looking at the dates on the headstones makes one think, “don’t count the days, rather make the days count”
In the Old Testament, Job went through the worst possible trials: the loss of all his children and all his possessions. Yet God made up to Job the years the locust had eaten. The latter was more prosperous than the former. He succeeded and was blessed. Hard times do pass. Good times are ahead. While our lives may end in breathing our last breath, we then just move from one life to another.
Psalm 91:16
With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.
Whether our earthly lives be long or short, let them be lived “to the Glory of God”. The long life is still to come!
Keep the smile going!
God bless you!
In His Grip,
Helga xx 🙂