I hadn’t been to visit Eric’s grave for a long time. Six months? More? I’m quite sure there was no lichen on the rose granite headstone the last time I was there.
Now there is. I thought, this looks like an old grave. I thought, this is beautiful. Eric loved mosses and lichens, the small plants and organisms that add richness to the world’s green.
How long does it take for lichen to take root on granite? Or how long does it take before I’d notice that lichen has crept into the carving of Eric. And January. The Hebrew letters too.
The stone has been there since April 2007. Many lichens grow less than a millimeter a year, so these could have been growing on Eric’s stone all along.
I’d like to live in a room painted the pale sage of the lichen on Eric’s stone. It’s almost the color of Squam Lake water over white sand. Eric would love that lapping at his grave.
Grace Mattern 
Lovely, as always, Grace. I appreciate the reminder that “Eric loved mosses and lichens, the small plants and organisms that add richness to the world’s green” because it reminds me how much richness Eric added to the world.
Thanks, Steve. That’s really sweet.
Your words are beautiful, loving and I am grateful for your sharing of such meaningful significance, the changes of time, and it’s healing. It doesn’t lessen your loss, but gently adjust your point of view. Peace, meilssa burton
Thanks, Melissa. I hope you and your family are well.
Hi Grace. It’s good to hear and listen to your voice again. Lovely writing.
Thanks, Pat. It was nice to see you at Susan’s show.