Tuesday, March 2, 2010

David


When it's nice outside, my children love to go out and play.  They walk around the land a lot and play pretend.  But sometimes, when my oldest is alone, he likes to go in the old family cemetery that is on our property.  It's in those woods pictured above.


He has made a friend in the cemetery.  His name is David and he was a a Confederate soldier in the Civil War.  I know that sounds strange.  But, sometimes he goes in there and talks to him.  My son says it's very peaceful.  He wonders what David's life was like way back then. 


Both Mitchell and I love history, so I tried to help him learn a little more about David.  We learned he was married and had a daughter.  He also lived to be 72, so he survived being a soldier in the war.  We learned a little bit more about the war, so he could understand what David had been through.  There were conflicting reports as to which Company he served in.  On his grave stone it says H, but in our research, we found it to be Company E. 


I am happy whenever Mitchell wants to learn!  Since we homeschool, we can stop what we are doing and focus on something that interests him for awhile.  Like we did learning about the Civil War.

12 comments:

KathyB. said...

Would you also tell us more about the cemetery on your property? I am very interested. Why is there a cemetery there, how many graves are there. What are the dates? It would be very interesting for your son to take on the project of learning and recording ( on your blog?) as much as he can about the cemetery and it's residents, and maybe even contacting family. What an interesting and useful, and helpful service. Have you tried to contact any of David's family? Boy, this is a project of love just made for a home-schooled boy and his family!

Our David was a tank commander for the U.S.M.C. for 2 tours in Iraq, he is well now, but to think he could one day be one in a grave a young boy took an interest in is touching. Thank-you to you and your son.

Shannon said...

Love this! My Levi is named after a family member that fought and died in the Civil War when he was 18. We studied about him a few years ago. We also found conflicting stories printed and different dates and such from what we had always been told from family members. The boy was moved to tears when I showed him the gravesite.

Homemom3 said...

I always wanted to have a family cemetary for that very reason. I feel families connect more like that. Use to love homeschooling because you could focus on the interest of your child. Oh and I find cemetaries and woods very peaceful, every Sunday (before it snowed) I use to walk through our local one just for the peace it brought me.

QuiltedSimple said...

how interesting and wonderful that he shows such an interest!
kris

Kristie said...

I never thought that people would have cemeteries on their property-that's kinda neat! It's even neater that you and your son want to learn about those that are laid to rest there. It's all so interesting! :-)

Cheryl said...

Nice post. It's wonderful he has these interest. Maybe be a history teacher some day.

Tatersmama said...

Nancy, I love this post! I've always loved wandering around old cemetaries, and my kids did too.
If we saw one when we were out driving the kids would always ask to stop, and they loved speculating about this person or that person.
I'm with KathyB... I would love to hear more about the cemetary you have on your place!

Dorothy said...

What a wonderful way to encourage kids to want to know about history..I love looking at the stones and reading what they have to say especially the older ones they can be so interesting. Hope you'll share more as you learn more.

Dorothy from grammology
grammology.com

Twisted Fencepost said...

That is a great way to teach him about the history of our land.
I love exploring old cemetery's, too.

kawracer1 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Narelle said...

Wow how interesting. I have a facination with cemetaries too! We're all a bit weird aren't we.

Homeschoolong really allows you to be flexible and follow your child's interest, that's so great :)

Alli said...

That was really interesting!

-Alli