I’m scouting today in the Hollywood Forever cemetery, and by total chance, I happen to notice this young oak tree, and then the grave beside it.
Or…maybe it wasn’t by chance?
Despite such a tragically young death, the grave’s message put such a wide smile on my face, which I’m quite sure was the aim of its occupant. And then I saw the message on its opposite side…
Her name was Megan Alexandra Chastain White, and she passed away from cancer at the tragically young age of 33. Many readers have since written to let me know that she had quite an online presence, and I wanted to pass on the links for anyone who might want to find out more about the sort of inspired soul who would include directional arrows to both the Haunted Mansion AND Taco Bell on her grave.
There is a beautiful obituary to be found here: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/latimes/name/megan-white-obituary?id=31211588
She also had a YouTube channel in which she documented moments from her illness, including a cross-country roadtrip to say goodbye to loved ones: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxTtim3mEe0j1EpPHqreGtA/videos?app=desktop
And an article on the trip: https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/minnesota-woman-with-terminal-cancer-takes-one-last-road-trip-to-say-goodbye-to-loved-ones/
I can’t stress enough how amazed I am by the sheer coincidence of stumbling upon her grave among thousands of others. I was in the cemetery to take scout pictures. I was moving very fast. I didn’t look at any other graves. I had just shot my last picture. For reasons I cannot explain, I said “I wonder whose grave is beside this tree.”
I don’t personally believe in ghosts or the supernatural, but man do I live for the moments where something inexplicable happens, and you feel that chill pass through you, where you say, “ok but maybe…”
Thank you again for this moment, Megan. The ability to uplift the day of a total stranger from beyond the grave is truly among the highest of achievements I can think of. RIP.
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