Aulds Cove

Death seems a little closer in the Maritimes and Quebec. Driving through small towns, cemeteries are always near, sometimes bisected by the main road. Cemeteries out west often seem tucked away — hidden from view.

There is history here of course, centuries of European settlements which predate Confederation. A corollary of those lived experiences, is there have been centuries of death as well.

We attended a music festival in Cape Breton which featured local talent, including a choir led by a tall, grey haired, white collared cleric. He spoke of the now dead composer of the song they were about to sing. The songwriter had been contemplating death in the lyrics — or as the preacher put it “facing the grave.”

Easy to do out this way, as reminders of those who came before never seems more than a stone’s throw away.Read more