Gather Ye Rosebuds While Ye May (A to Z Challenge, Letter G)

Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,
Old Time is still a-flying;
And this same flower that smiles today
To-morrow will be dying.
(17th century poet Robert Herrick)

Small buds are often used to represent the death of a child.  A tender start to life cut down before it really begins.  But the stanza above shows that a rosebud also symbolizes simply the passage of time.  So this display on the tombstone placed for 84-year-old Elizabeth Cole is really not out of place.

Elizabeth, according to FindAGrave, was the daughter of Anderson Fambrough.  She died 12th August 1863.  Her remains rest next to those of her husband in Oak Hill Cemetery at Newnan, Coweta County, Georgia.

Robert Cole was a veteran of the War of 1812, and the 1850 U.S. Federal Census shows he held the occupation of "Cooper" two years before his death.  A cooper is a maker or repairer of casks and barrels.

Are you wondering what's up with all the "letter" posts? I am participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge (links to official page). This challenge lasts through the month of April, with Sundays off.  Each day follows a different letter prompt, in order, from A to Z.  Click here to see all my letter posts on one page (in reverse order). This blog as a whole is one of my themes – telling the tales of tombstones, primarily from those found in the Southern United States and usually the State of Georgia.  You may follow along with me by email and other social media platforms listed at the top of the sidebar.  I and other bloggers in the challenge on Twitter will also be using #atozchallenge.

Though this is my second year in the challenge, it's my first with two blogs.  I am also participating with Lincecum Lineage.  Though it is a one name study blog, my theme there is "kinfolk direct." These genealogy and family history posts all involve a direct relative.

Are you participating in the challenge, too? Please leave a link to your blog in the comments, I'd love to pay you a visit.  Good luck to all involved!