November 10, 2003
Tacky Is...

Ok, I'm genuinely sorry to hear when a child dies from something, anything. People tell me you can't imagine the grief and pain, and I believe them. However, I do feel there are limits to the demonstrations of grief, and after some consideration I think this lady may have found them:

A grieving mother said on Thursday she plans to fight after her town set a deadline for her to remove decorations on the grave of her 9-year-old son or have his remains moved to a different cemetery.
...
Armstrong decided to bury the boy in a nearby public cemetery but found it to be "cold and raw" -- and so she covered the grave with mulch, white stones, fencing, plants, toys, Halloween decorations, solar-powered lighting, prayer cards and other objects.

Now, hysterical grief can cause people to do all sorts of things, but you have to draw a line somewhere. Turning your child's gravesite into a landing strip definitely sounds like that line has been crossed.

Posted by scott at November 10, 2003 10:09 AM

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Sounds like the town is going about helping the lady through her grief in the wrong way.
I'm left wondering what else is going on there.
What kind of lights? What "other objects"? The woman is distraught and after 9 years with her son, she deserves some space. But what are friends and family doing (does she even have any more family)? Too many pieces missing to be so harsh on the woman.
COLD

Posted by: Cindy on November 10, 2003 02:55 PM

I 1/2 agree with Cindy, there's too much info missing.

However, I definately agree with you, too.... there IS a line where good taste is left behind. Decorating ANY grave with "mulch, white stones, fencing, plants, toys...." (ect) is too much. Subtle is the order of the day in honoring your dearly departed, I would opine.

Posted by: Jim S on November 10, 2003 04:25 PM
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