I Found A Baby's Cradle In the Cemetery

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[@janetveres3316]

As a mom with a baby in a cemetery, I really appreciate you taking the time to restore this child’s beautiful monument. And the plant on the parent’s grave is a peony. I know of some that have been growing undisturbed for about fifty years, so it may have been planted there long ago by a surviving family member.

[@Bowser14456]

I'm sorry for your loss

[@maryfox1460]

I agree that it’s a peony. I’m touched that it’s alive.

[@Thug-12Na]

🙏🏼

[@roonsbirdbird2867]

Agreed peonies can be decades old.

[@lauralake7430]

May you always be blessed by the memory of your beautiful baby.

[@chickenfist1554]

Looks like he was born in 1880 and died in 1882. Joel had three children and outlived two of them. Huge respect for the restoration.

[@claudettelovingood4050]

God bless you and your life, for all time

[@figmo397]

I came here after seeing the shorter version of this restoration. What you've done and continue to do is very special and beautiful.

[@apriladaum1020]

Same….so much respect for what he does ☺️

[@beckiepatrick6900]

Me too. I was immediately fascinated and had to learn more. This is really special. ❤

[@honoreerobinson5379]

You just know that the baby’s parents are so grateful for the love that went into fixing their child’s resting place. Why in the world didn’t the cemetery workers give a moment to fixing this grave? Much love and respect to you for your thoughtfulness, and respect that you give to the loved ones who have gone to peace.

[@CharlieBrown-my6gz]

I also started watching this because of the short version I was wondering why I put candy M&Ms on the grave

[@decemeterian1960]

I've found cradle monuments by accident. Seen a lamb sitting behind a monument that looked odd. It was an infant brother and sister and probing for their foot stones, I discovered they both were cradle monuments with lamb footers. After I introduced myself, I spend the next several hours restoring and cleaning them.

[@evajawidzk2068]

Thank you it was a wonderful thing to do to restore the resting place of a brother and sisters monument.

[@catherinecox8921]

I lost a daughter when she was 1 year old. My sister and I regularly and lovingly clean and maintain her grave. Watching you do this for this child just warmed my heart so much.

[@marylock3105]

Sorry for your loss 😢I know my brother and mum in heaven looking after your baby 😢❤

[@debraflowers5905]

I have never heard of a cradle grave...fills my heart. You are a very talented man with a gentle heart.

[@charlaporter7773]

I love what you're doing!! All these years no one knew that little baby's body was there. Now people will see his beautiful cradle stone and will know who he was and that he was loved. Thank you for the little bit of family history to go along with the restoration! M&M's...how sweet!!

[@lauralake7430]

I was a pediatric nurse before i retired. I sat with many children and families when their child was passing. Now that his parents and brothers, and other family are gone, there is no one to look after baby’S grave, so thank you for doing this.❤

[@Me_chelle93]

If you're ever in Eastern Kentucky, there's some vague graves behind my childhood home on the edge of some woods. When I was a child I would go lay flowers on the unmarked graves. I always assumed they were for slaves because they weren't marked and I think it's late 1700-mid 1800's.

[@jodi578]

That was So Loving of you ❤

[@KaliKali-hv9bt]

That’s really sweet of you!! Your life stay blessed❤

[@lauraoneal5146]

@Me_chelle93 I am also in eastern KY in the Ashland area. I have family whose homestead is in Elliot Co. I know there is a family cemetery where my grandparents and infant aunts and uncles are buried. I have not been there in years. Last time was when I was a child and now in my 50’s. My father grew up there outside of Isonville outside of Sandy Hook. He was next to the u to the youngest and was born in 1918. I know he told me that for the funerals the caskets had to be pulled up the hill by horses. I am sure the cemetery is now choked out with trees and kudzu. 💔

[@EmilyGrace20]

@lauraoneal5146 I’m from the same area, also with distant family buried around Isonville! We still visit the multiple cemeteries there every year. (A good 4-wheel drive vehicle is beneficial, for sure!) It’s sad to see the state of some of the graves on those hills. I’d love to see someone with this kind of expertise and kind heart visit that area.

[@lauraoneal5146]

@@EmilyGrace20 definitely 4 wheel drive is need in a lot of the hollers where my family is from. It truly is a small world. I would love to ATTEMPT to find my family’s cemetery up there but not even sure where to begin. I guess the Elliot Co courthouse would be my best bet. But now this time of year would have to watch for ticks, snakes, brown recluse spiders and have to have a chainsaw and sharp machete to get through all the briars, saplings and kudzu. Research now and go hunting in the fall to see if I could find it.

[@bill90405]

Peony. Should get big pink flowers. Easily transplanted

[@millennialstonecleaner]

Ohhhh thank you!

[@cleoldbagtraallsorts3380]

Pink, white, red or burgundy colour flowers, some are almost purple.

[@jenwhite5387]

And they smell amazing!

[@taravaotahiti]

@@millennialstonecleaner Yes, that does look like a peony. Sadly, it does not look healthy. It may need some TLC just like the cradle grave.

[@llamamama2910]

The peony is fine-just done blooming-eventually foliage will die down for the year-they don’t love being moved so I would leave it in place

[@user-qt2sd4ws9m]

That was incredibly kind of you to restore this child's final resting place.

[@lindaelick6067]

I truly believe his parents are looking down on you with appreciation, blessings and love for you and what you’ve done for their Son.

[@juliem.679]

Such a beautiful act of kindness. I am sure the souls of the parents are deeply grateful for all your effort. The flowers are wonderful. I've been in many cemeteries as a volunteer for Find A Grave and I have never seen a cradle monument, so this video was fascinating for me. Many thanks!

[@Bobby-mg1uj]

Your work means so much to families in search of answers. Thank you. ~ signed, Findagrave volunteer, Headstone Hunter volunteer before that, and unaffiliated random cemetery restoration volunteer for 40+ years.

[@Lucinda_Jackson]

Just lovely, to find this child's grave and immediately set about putting it to rights. It's so beautiful and that peony hid the pieces from view, protecting them until you came along to repair and reconstruct it. How lucky to find the missing pieces you needed and that they confirmed you were in the correct spot! Love the flowers and candy on the pillow. You have the softest heart! I do hope the maintenance crew (probably one man with a riding mower and a string trimmer) is careful with this one going forward. 🌺🪦🌺

[@millennialstonecleaner]

Thank you so much I really appreciate it. And yes, I gave the maintenance folks a heads up so they all are keeping an eye on it now too.

[@leyann8499]

​@@millennialstonecleaner U forgot to acknowledge the helpful 'Peony', as the bush type. Or is that the plants in the cradle?

[@nsd0909]

​@@millennialstonecleaner I know this may sound strange but is this located at a cemetery on the Eastside of Des Moines, IA? It looks like where my grandparents are buried😢 Thank you for all your work❤

[@IrishAnnie]

I cannot believe you figured out the structure of this monument. It’s precious! I can’t figure out why it was never constructed. Seems strange. But, now it is 144 years later. Bless you!!!

[@TuckerSP2011]

It probably was broken and the rails placed near the parents headstone.

[@angelatroutman7128]

Yes, I cried. What a precious grave.

[@albertsampson6568]

❤

[@NoNo-mx7rm]

I believe he would say, (Sir thank you for letting our child be recognized. Everyone has a purpose and you have found yours. What beautiful hands touch these graves with so much love. You and I both build homes.) GOD BLESS YOU!

[@MusicHavenSG]

A very touching gesture that you rebuilt this infant's monument when you didn't have to. Humanity restored, that was an awesome build!

[@jodylyn6777]

Looks like a peony flower bush. Flowers just in time for Memorial Day. So neat❤

[@Gretchen-vh9xt]

He would want to give you a hug. Thank you. 😊

[@SnowBunnz]

Seeing it put together at the end made me tear up.. what a beautiful thing to do for that family ♥️

[@amandaarmstrong9900]

My dude! You just came randomly across my feed and I love your work! I am a gravestone and cemetery enthusiast from Colorado with a focus on Colorado pioneer cemeteries. You are right up my alley! Such a beautiful restoration, I am grateful for the work you do!

[@kelitew4188]

That’s awesome. Nobody should ever be forgotten no matter how old how long they’ve been gone.

[@w.dossett3332]

Joel and babies Mummy would be so grateful to you

[@PC-xr2po]

Very moving, love your work! I was doing ok until he read the pillow inscription “Bye Bye Darling” and placed the bag of candy. 😢😢

[@kathleendaugherty4218]

The bush you were asking about is a Peoni bush, it will have large flowers on it, either pink or white. We used to have them in our yard in Ohio.

[@patriciamuskevitsch8359]

It is a beautiful monument. I'm absolutely sure his father would be happy with your work.

[@beckyallen2316]

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking care of that babies grave❤ my uncle was 2.5 years old and only child of my grandparents at the time that past away of diphtheria. I try to keep it up. He was born in 1925 & died in 1927

[@lindavelasco6867]

You’re a wonderful kind hearted man in doing this type of project. The parents of this baby would be so happy n grateful you were able to restore their baby’s dismantled crib after all the years that have passed. You will surely be blessed for all you do. Thanks much too to the kind patrons supporting you. 👏🙏🙏👍👍

[@mrrs8118]

Have never seen a cradle grave. Beautiful job, as always!

[@plantsbythemoon9049]

So glad your short popped up in my feed. Yes, the contractor (father) would be very proud of your work and kind heart. You are a blessing.💛💛💛

[@Hannahpatt756]

Totally not crying.. 😭❤️ You have such a kind soul.. god bless you.

[@Paulie1232]

Did anyone else cry 😢

[@Me_chelle93]

Yes! I can't imagine the joy these parents feel, for a stranger to honor their baby❤️

[@jennilynne1977]

​@@Me_chelle93 as a parent, even though my child is grown, if she was gone and some stranger fixed her grave, I would give them a HUGE hug and maybe a kiss on the cheek (if they agreed). Of course, I probably wouldn't be around, but that would be how I would react.

[@MylifeMyway7283]

Oh yes hunny

[@basbas768]

Not me.

[@Kittydoc90]

You brought this family back to life, from mere faded names and marble pieces. Finding the connection between Joel and the houses in your neighborhood was outstanding-you bridged centuries. Wonderful work.

[@SpectralSeamstress]

I kept thinking "this cemetary looks familiar but thought eh I'm sure a million cemeteries look the same" then realized it's where I live too! I love visiting cemeteries and walking around so I definitely will go check out your work! I am so interested in what you do, I definitely want to take your class.

[@RosemarieVillarreal-wh5kz]

I've lost 4 of my children. This is my first video. This is one of the kindest actions I've ever seen. Thank you . Nothing compares to losing someone who knows what your heartbeat sounds like from the inside.

[@kevinblanton2589]

I live in Chapin SC. I came across an old cemetery in the woods. They all look to be veterans. It is very dilapidated and not well maintained. Someone puts flags out, but I don’t think there is any maintenance. I would love to bring it back to the glory they all deserve. Blanton Home Solutions LLC

[@dianacurry6248]

Possibly you could contact VFW posts for volunteers

[@Sea-cucumber1151]

If you use “wet and forget it” as well, every time it rains it will clean the algae. It’s amazing. Especially since you can’t scrub every one of them. With that product you don’t need to scrub it, it just won’t be immediate results. It would continue to clean after as well to keep it clean.

[@The_rusty_corner.]

Always ask to see the cemetery plot maps if the have them, most the time they do and there in the office, my family worked in the cemetery business for over 50 years, happy to see someone restore theses old stones

[@bettyboop3102]

First cradle grave I have ever seen. What a beautiful restoration you did. Truly, this is a wonderful and honoring thing to do. God bless you.

[@marshabailey1121]

What a loving and respectful thing to do for this family. We need more caring people like you.

[@Rickster2791]

Never have seen one before. Awesome restoration!

[@supernova11711]

I’m sure Joel is honoured to have you do this for his family. It’s beautiful 🙏😇

[@odd3l5]

The short that you produced for this video is what got me to subscribe to your channel. Thank you for everything that you do.

[@dianacurry6248]

Same here as I was appaled at the comments in the short. How disrespectful some were.

[@JeffreyHatch69]

❤ God bless you.! You're a good man with a kind heart. I'm a 65-year-old grown man sitting here with tears rolling down my face as I watched your kindness in full swing. I know in my heart that the baby and his siblings and his parents are pleased with your good deed❤

[@ljw1961us]

I JUST told a friend three days ago that we drove through a cemetery and saw some interesting graves. Two single and one double....all four children from one family died within a month of each other in 1877. I said they looked like cradles. And here you are showing the exact same thing! You did a great job. So sad to see children's graves to start with but to see them unkept and broken is extra heartbreaking.

[@Flo1918]

I wish I could remember how one lady was able to hear a spirit say hello to her...been too long ..but I'm sure spirits are happy that you have taken cared of their resting place...thank you..❤

[@terrielburrell5545]

His eyes would fill with tears as mine did...fixing a carpenter's son's grave. I just joined your Patreon donations. Everyone here should join.

[@gamblingnanny]

You are such a caring man and I appreciate your kindness and care of the dear departed ..I am crying watching the care and respect you show for each piece you do

[@maryfox1460]

I have this image of the child smiling because of your restoration work.

[@deadiemeyers1661]

Thank you for your efforts in restoring and maintaining Cemetery monuments. It is an invaluable resource for family history research.

[@noturcinderella]

When I was a kid in the 80s I used to bike to the cemetery with windex, washcloths and snickers bars to clean the gravestones. It was peaceful. I would talk to the people so they didnt feel so alone. I thought the idea of being buried in the ground with nobody to remember you or keep you company to be the saddest thing my little heart had encountered at that point in my life. There was a groundskeeper that would come by and keep an eye on me. He never talked to me and I never talked to him but I felt like he really understood me. I would lay on the grass next to the graves and watch the clouds and imagine what their lives must have been like and how they died. I must have had a very active imagination because I still recall times where I would swear that there was someone actually there. I could sometimes see them, hear them and sometimes just sense them nearby. It brought me peace to give them some of my love. I started doing it when I was right out of kindergarten as soon as I learned to ride my bike. Its crazy to think my mom let me go alone but the 80s were a different time. Discovering people now post videos of themselves as adults cleaning strangers gravestones leaves me without words for once in my life. I cant believe there are others out there that do this in their spare time and that others are interested. It was something I was always afraid of being ridiculed for so I never told anyone but my family. They thought there was something wrong with me so they made me see a psychologist over it and my siblings called me a witch and told people I was into satanism which is just plain silly. I was a baby, I knew nothing about that kind of stuff. Eventually when I was 11 we moved from Florida to a very small town in Alaska so I stopped going to graveyards. I was a very odd, lonely child.

[@paularodery8074]

😢😢😢

[@lindaknezek-shelton5922]

May the Lord bless you abundantly for the work you did putting this cradle grave stone back together. What a blessing for this family! Thank you!

[@aprilhunt2512]

It’s awesome that there are people that go out of their way to restore, respect and remember the souls passed❤️

[@bjkelley5344]

What a precious and kind gift you have given that sweet little baby boy. His parents obviously wanted his grave to be a gift of remembrance of their beloved little darling. It is sad that for years his grave was unmarked. I imagine the family was watching over in gratefulness of your incredible kindness. What a gentle and kind person you are.

[@cherriemcbratney162]

Thank you for the gift of your time, knowledge, talent in restoring this headstone and grave site. What a great idea for a Boy Scouts or a high school club to get involved in.

[@Toucan11]

The m and m’s made me loose. How sweet of you to repair. I’m sure from heaven they are appreciative for what you have done ❤

[@evajawidzk2068]

Ive never seen a cradle grave . You did a beautiful job a great Thing to do for a child gone too soon. Thank you for sharing your work and the process to repair the place of honor of a loved one gone to soon.

[@user-kp5ey4lg4r]

You didn't beautiful job repairing this cradle grave, which I have never seen. It is absolutely beautiful.

[@rosamundmundy6966]

JOEL AND MARGARET ARE SMILING DOWN ON YOU.. THANKING YOU FOR LOOKING AFTER THEIR BABYS MEMORY.. YOUR true champion ❤

[@Tara-Lynn1524]

I feel so fortunate to have found your channel ! You truly are a beautiful and caring soul Tara ❤

[@clarenerosas493]

The family is looking from above and loving this stranger for his kindness! God bless you.

[@amyleingang1448]

I love cemeteries. I have a lot in my area, i have cleaned a few. The details and ornate ones are beautiful.

[@kathleenwood7713]

What a Beautiful monument for a loved child, thank you for restoring it.❤

[@samuelcraigsr4348]

I love you you work your job is really hard to do that is mentally had enough for anyone let alone the family that had to put that child in the ground I think his parents would be proud of you .

[@janetgilesrudland1028]

What a wonderful human being you are to take the time to put that baby's cradle back together it's heartbreaking he died so young but at least he's laid to rest with his parents and what a guy he's daddy was loved this video it made me cry seeing what you had done I'm sure there smiling down on you from heaven god bless you ❤

[@melissaerickson2607]

I absolutely love watching you do what you do. Thank you for helping all of these families.

[@Floppyearsmomma]

RIP Sweet Little William. Thank you for the wonderful work you do.

[@nancycurtis488]

What an incredibly wonderful thing you are doing for this young child and his family. You are a very special man.

[@shelliewerner5624]

What a beautiful job you've done...bless you...

[@TheWindWhispers]

The plant is an herbaceous peony. It looks like it has powdery mildew. It's a fungal infection that won't harm the plant, but just make it not look too nice. The peony will die back to the ground every year. Easy to dig up and either move entirely or thin out. You'll find rhizomes in the ground if you follow the stems down. If you to transplant or thin them, be careful not to split any rhizomes. Any left over will produce a new plant. (Source: I'm a Master Gardener)

[@vickianderson3321]

Peony bush and will bloom with huge beautiful flowers! My Aunt put a Peony bush on my Uncles grave when the company bought tombstone from repoed the headstone for slow payment from an older widow. She did get it back though. A cradle is so unique&something not many would be able to afford at that time. How very very special!🙏💗

[@Boogledigs]

This was SO beautiful. I've never seen a cradle grave before. It now looks stunning.

[@artist6135]

God bless your work. Thank you for restoring and preserving the memory of this precious child.

[@HensOnly]

I stumbled on this video and thank you for taking the time to restore and make it look good! I think the father would be very happy seeing that you are taking care of his infant child's grave. That being said, my husband takes care of two children's cradle graves, cleaning and reposting the connections together and planted flowers every year, this will be his fourth year caring for it. It was at Greenwood Cemetery, Decatur IL. It would be nice to find suitable flowers to plant for these cradle beds, both in sun and shade/partial shade and doesn't require much watering with good soil bed.

[@Canuckmom128]

Oh boy - your finished restoration, with the flowers, and the pillow…that put a major lump in my throat. Such caring work. I lost a nephew several years ago. He was a young adult, but he was my Sister’s “baby”. As a Mom and Grandmother this is very touching. I had never seen a cradle grave. Poor baby probably died from something we now immunize against. So sad.

[@Karmah01]

I love going to cemeteries and seeing the gravestones, their age, the year they passed, etc. I find cemeteries very peaceful and calming. ⚰ Thank you for caring about those who've passed, fixing and cleaning up their final resting place. 💜 RIP to those who've passed from this world and into another. 🕊 †🌹†

[@shelaleon1879]

Thank you so much for restoring the grave of this little angel resting next to his parents. Bless you.

[@gailjezik1]

As a mother who has buried a child I would have really appreciated of the work he has done.

[@pattiepitts5893]

Somebody raised you right, you are an amazing man, THANK YOU whenever I’m at my family’s cemetery I always tiddy up other plots. I’m an old lady now so I don’t go as often as I can, After Covid took over I went back it was so overgrown and my trees died. It was shocking honestly. Really good show.

[@michaelwallace897]

A child of angels has been laid to rest. His name ( William ) will never be forgotten. Peace be on to you for all the work that you do To give these people a final reminder that will live on.

[@girlwheels]

Aw. So lovely. Joel would likely be touched someone was honoring his family, and late child. I don't think he'd be worried about the craftsmanship.

[@catherineferguson7388]

Great job, his father would be so proud of what you have done for his little boy. RIP 💐💐

[@steveparker8723]

Amazing how all the parts of the cradle survived. Awesome restoration.

[@sylvia7656]

Poor family...may they continue to RIP together. Thanks for all you do!❤

[@pamelamiller3215]

What a wonderful job you have done for this baby and family

[@kimhickman9210]

People who fix tombstone, thank you for not forgetting them. Your amazing person.

[@lilasnedeker2337]

I have never seen a cradle marker before. Thank you for restoring it with such loving care.

[@TexasTrosper]

Bless you for restoring the final resting place for this little one.

[@cemanthawildbur2816]

You are amazing and very skilled at putting the cradle back together, and I know that the mother and father of this child would be so grateful . I want to thank you for all that you do and the love & respect that you have for the people and the grave itself, touches me very deeply. May God bless you always 🙏 ❤️.

[@grandma6552]

Respect! I know a carpenter who is loving your work. You will in no way lose your reward. Expect a miracle.

[@darkshadowrule2952]

Me, sees Menard's buckets: a man of culture I see 😂 So awesome to see a channel where someone's doing this in Iowa 🥰

[@lorileewalters2018]

That looks very much like a Peony bush, they are beautiful and just keep growing. So kind what you’re doing✝️🕊️☮️🙏🏼❣️❣️❣️❣️

[@jomercer21113]

I've never seen a cradle monument. Very cool.

[@colettefleck9238]

Such respect and dedication, to bringing to life those headstones, which sadly became broken and leaving the inscription which would have given names and dates and other personal words precous memories,carved into the stone in respect to those who where loved, in this life and a little memorial, which would be passed on to future families. Thank you for all your hard work. Sending you Irish Blessings ♣️

[@leannemossop]

You are certainly a very caring soul, what a job you do. They’re ain’t enough people in this world like you. All the way from Australia.

[@richardhutchison3123]

God bless you for working on this baby's grave.

[@bernicemoore3453]

You did a beautiful job on that cradle. Parents will be so happy to see it from the after life.

[@sharonbaulch]

You sir are so gifted in what you do for those who've passed away. Bless you for your efforts😇

[@0409clearly]

Peonies represent compassion amongst other things, think that's fairly apt here. TY for all you do.