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I love to visit churchyards. There is nothing morbid in my enjoyment, more historical. Churchyards attached to the villages here read like history books, the genealogy of a small community laid out in the ground for all to understand.
I asked around locally but nobody could remember any accident, or English family around here.
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An English lord came to Normandy with his beautiful young wife, fell in love with the valley and settled here. They had a daughter who sadly died very young of an illness. Two years later they had another daughter, and tragically she also succumbed to the same maladie, which today we’d call genetic. The couple were overcome with sadness but still desired a family and decided to adopt. A baby French girl was found and the family reconstructed their lives, they continued to live in Normandy.
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One day while walking near the church I saw an elderly lady tidying the tombstones and laying fresh flowers. We chatted about the weather and the view and the peacefulness, she had a pleasant face. I asked if she knew anything about the mysterious English children, she smiled, she seemed pleased that someone was interested. She told me the whole story.
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I listened quietly, touched by the way she told the tale, then thanked her and walked on.
48 comments
Ooh, I had goosebumps when I read the last sentence as I hadn't guessed. How fascinating and so good that the story has been passed on for you to tell others. I know what you mean about churchyards. I also like looking at the tombstones and wondering about the people and their lives.
What a story! So sad and so beautiful at the same time!
sweet story!!!Thanks for sharing with us!!Congratulations for blog..I love it!
Hugs
Stefy
Lovely story.. You are so blessed to live where you do.
What a fabulous story…if we here in America would just slow down and talk with our elders more, imagine the things we'd learn!
What a beautiful story, the pictures are so peaceful…..and how wonderful that she had a chance encounter with you to tell you the story. Lovely!
This beautiful story is amazing…it literally has brought tears to my eyes. Sharon, thank you so much for sharing and unlocking this sweet mystery.
Your true story is very interesting and It ended like a scene from a good movie. What a special surprise for you! I enjoy your blog very much. It is so interesting to see all the sights that you share from your beautiful part of the world.—- Shannon
Oh that is the making of a book my dear. What a wonderful story and your photographs of the stones capped with snow are just beautiful.
Bon dimanche,
V
Oh BTW, I traveled about 2 hours south of Birmingham last week to meet a fellow blogger from Belgium! We toured and photographed a beautiful old
cemetery in Selma AL.
what a lovely story. how serendipitous! it must have warmed your heart as much it did hers!
Yes, I also, have goose bumps. I love to talk to older people. They often have the essence of the area and oh, such wisdom.
I wonder sometimes why tourists go on tours, stay at large hotels in big cities and then assume they have "done France". There are so many wonderful people and places and things to learn that are missed by those horrible concocted "tours" that one hears about.
What a wonderful story… The last sentence revealing the woman was the adopted daughter … made me smile. How wonderful of her to respect the two sisters that had come before her and be taking care of their little graves. Thank you for sharing this beautiful historical story of love, respect, and blessings. xo HHL
Chills and goosebumps. The makings of a great short story.
Thank you for sharing such a wonderful story.. it brought a few tears to my eyes. I love old people and the wisdom they share.. and their caring ways.
What a wonderful story, thank you for sharing
What a beautifully sad story. Thank you for sharing it.
I too love to wonder in graveyards, this story is so special.
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Such bitter sweet history in graveyards. How perfect your timing was to meet the daughter and learn her family story.
Lovely post.
My husband was looking through my blogroll early this morning & clicked on your post. After he read it he said, "Keri, have you read this yet? You need to read this." He has reminded me to read it about 5 more times since & now I see why! What a beautiful story. I had goosebumps and tears in my eyes by the end. Thank you so much for sharing this precious discovery.
Have a wonderful week!
Keri
Missouri, USA
Hi, thanks for sharing with us, I would have had the same curiosity to know the story behind the two tombstones. Lovely story lovely to know about people's stories. Thanks again. Lisa
Wow…the ending to your beautiful story caught me completely by surprise. What a lovely chance encounter…I hope that you'll meet again or perhaps this is just the moment that was supposed to be. Your story and your photos are so beautiful.
annie
Great story. We have a grave yard on the property with several little children listed. I'm trying to find their stories. My husband loves old grave yards.
Can you imagine how you brightened that lady's day by asking her about those monuments? We each have story to tell, but few take the time to ask or listen. And as pleased as you were to learn the story of those two graves, she was even more pleased to tell you. I believe you've made a new friend.
What a beautiful story. I know your interest warmed her heart.
I enjoy your lovely blog very much. I visited Normandy on a day bus tour from Paris in 2006. The country side was beautiful and I would have loved to explore and not be in a bus that was in a hurry.
The story is so wonderful and to actually meet, by chance,the adopted daughter, how exciting! Thanks so much for sharing it.
Beautiful story. I also love visiting cemeteries. Because of the stories and the art monuments you can find there. Here we have a beautiful cemetery, Cemetery of Recoleta (Buenos Aires), full of art and stories! They have guided visits, but the guides are historians never the families!
Oh, Sharon…that gorgeous story had me captivated but at the ending! It stopped my heart and made me immediately get tears in my eyes. Thank you for sharing it.
I would live to see a picture of the dear lady. So touching!
Thank you for sharing this lovely story; it was very touching. It must have been pretty special for both of you, as well! Love your blog, love France, and good job blogging so frequently. That's not always easy to do! I appreciate your words and photos, and what they evoke.
That is a beautiful graveyard and a very touching story. l love the way you happened to meet the adopted daughter and the way she tends the tombstones.
Amazing story.
Lovely, Sharon. No, I didn't guess the ending because it's too incredible. Thanks for sharing…now my mind is busy filling in the blanks.
Perfect story! I find visiting churchyards as appealing as you do… so many stories to be told. Great blog btw!
Maria
Well that graveyard looks quite beautiful with the snow and old stonework. What a story, glad you managed to work it out!
What a sweet story. That's one thing I love about being in a small town – you can learn the history first hand.
Oh that is beautiful! I aam so glad she was able to share it with you…I bet it made her day!
Love your charming story Sharon…and am so glad I am not the only one who likes to hang out in graveyards. :)xx
What a great tale! Just found your blog–very enchanting.
I too love to wander in cemetaries, but have never had such a sweet experience as that.
What a lovely story. I love historic grave sites and while visiting Massachusetts my friends and I found a relative of one of my friends. The distant aunt had died in 1747. It was so interesting and your story confirms that.
Karen
What a beautiful story! Thank you so much for sharing that!!!
nancy
Powellbrower.com
What a beautiful story. I suddenly feel so emotional. Lovely.
~ Clare x
I am glad I read down to this story. Beautiful story.
I visit the hollywood cemetary here. The old stones and carvings I find so interesting and how you could tell at one time a little bit about the person by the carvings .
I don't find it morbid. I find it very interesting. Death is just as much a part of life as living.
Thank you for sharing this
Betsy
Beautiful post. There are so many lovely abbeys in Normandy. Like this ruined one https://caroleschatter.blogspot.co.nz/2011/11/abbaye-de-hambye-lower-normandy-france.html
can you tell me where the church is, going to Normandy? Can anyone suggest a charming, comfortable, (good beds and linens) place to stay in the Normandy area?
What a beautiful, sweet story. Thank you for sharing this.