Crosses on the road

I saw this all the time in rural Kansas. A small cross on the side of the road, embellished with a bouquet of waterproofed flowers and other ornaments. It seemed like another part of the scenery, so sometimes I forget exactly what they represent.

When I see them in urban areas, I'm surprised into remembering. I saw one on the median of the highway I take to tennis tonight.

They make death real for me. I don't know why. I think about who put it there, and why, and the ornaments make me think about a real person who took her last breath on that very spot.

It's morbid. But I love the memorials. I like knowing people still remember the ones they loved, and keep a piece of them alive for others to know. I like the ritual and thought that goes into the little altars.