Cherry Tree.
21st January 2009
Living with the dead as been my day today – I simply had to go to the local cemetery, that of Cherry Tree Lane. I woke with this compulsion that I should go there. Strange and spooky it may sound to my readers but I had an energy within me that would not settle until I had got into the car and driven there. I have never been in this cemetery before so quietly, slowly and cautiously drove in the grounds. There is always a feeling of being unsure whether you should be there or not as I have no loved one in the site. But by some amazing coincidence or spiritual lead I parked by the baby and children plot. This did become spooky when I looked at the date on my mobile phone – wow this was the date of my loss – a son that was stillborn 21st January 1971 and the time I was stood in the Cherry Tree Lane Cemetery in this year 2009 was close to the time I delivered him – (in the ambulance on a blue light transfer to Leeds Maternity Hospital). Now, I was beginning to understand why I had been given a spiritual push and shove to come to this place. I had to see the plot and I was moved to the core of my heart with what I was seeing.
A couple tending the grave of their baby – decorated with toys and trinkets for his spirit to play with, if not in his earthly body to play with those toys. The grave plots beautiful managed and full of love from parents and grandparents, brothers and sisters of those babies and children laid in the ground to Rest In Peace. Their death not an end; but a continuation of time for mourning, reflecting and sharing the memories of those little ones. Some only a day in the arms of their parents, some months and some a couple of years. But all loved and wanted by the parents that had lost them to death from disease, genetic problems, accidents and birthing problems. All being little souls, that were only allowed a short time on this Earthly plane.
One of the graves plots stands out in my mind of a 2 month old baby boy. I would love to share the name of him with the readers – but out of respect to the parents and the fact I have not asked them permission I will hold back on this. But his name is so full of character, sweet yet fun, energetic and full of life. Yes, full of life. It was like this grave was speaking directly to me to say we must keep this ground the sacred space it is.
A sacred space, for that is what it felt! The whole of that plot had a playful, magical energy around it as if all those children had a spiritual playground together with all the toys and trinkets left. The tree over the plot has been decorated with wind chimes and mobiles by adoring parents. This act alone making the place like a sacred tribal ground of prayer flags and connection to the spirits of these lost, loved, much wanted children.
I have found a site http://www.prayerflags.com/ to help you read up on the use of Tibetan prayer flags in the Buddhist religion, but I want to quote this to make you think my readers.
“All beings that are touched by the wind are uplifted and a little happier. The silent prayers are blessings spoken on the breath of nature. Just as a drop of water can permeate the ocean, prayers dissolved in the wind extend to fill all of space.”
The Cherry Tree Cemetery is located near Heathrow airport. At this present time you can just about hold on to the peace of the site. As you walk in the grounds with Canadian geese and ducks using the pond and the park land for mourners to walk and reflect on their loved ones lives, you can distance your mind to the hum of traffic from the M4 and the planes above. There is still a sense of respectful peace.
But we are to have another road built to cope with the to and fro of passengers for the new Third Runway. A runway plan with all its lost of 700 homes and the desecration of this Sacred Space that has been given a go ahead. A go ahead without a vote in Parliament, without the voice of all those that are to be affected by this plan being heard. Without hearing the voice of those who can no longer speak, but only move our spirit with the spirit of the wind.
With all this recognition of this site being a sacred place for all the loved ones buried there be they young or old, then why does our government and planners want to build a road through this site?
Please my international readers will you look at this issue and campaign against this plan if you feel that your international travel is not worthy of the disturbance of lives, homes and Sacred Spaces for the dead. Dead that can now can fly without a passport, without baggage and on the Wings of Angels..
I have taken a quote from one of the graves to share with you the love that is found in this place. To share the pain of loss that is found in this place.
“If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane – I’d walk right up to Heaven and bring you home again.”
Campaign links for you to follow:
http://www.cherrylane.org.uk/
http://www.hillingdontimes.co.uk/yoursay/blogs/readerblogs/3798686.Save_Cherry_Lane_Cemetery/
http://www.john-mcdonnell.net/index.php/news/article/report-of-meeting-to-save-cherry-lane-cemetery-we-are-united-against-baas-r/2008/10
Interesting to note that the site is in the list of Green Spaces and therefore one would have thought untouchable!
http://www.hillingdon.gov.uk/index.jsp?articleid=7726
images from:
prayer flag http://himalayan-store.com/tibetan-prayer-flags.html
wind chime http://www.netshops.com
Locals reading this blog – there is a public meeting Thursday 22nd January in the Botwell Social Club, Botwell Lane, Hayes, Middlesex at 7:30pm
