For a while now, I’ve been wondering how the people who commissioned the tombs of Recoleta Cemetery came to choose their windows, roofs and doors. I mean, how did it go? “I’ll have a Saint George and the dragon for the window and a double door with palm branches and poppy heads, please”? Or, “Do me a low-key entrance with a simple cross, but I’d like a bold Sacred Heart of Jesus stained-glass roof”? I imagine some were selected by the individual before they died, while others were the preference of loved ones. Surely the overall idea would have been to have a peaceful, protective presence watching over.

One Catholic friend suggested that a person might opt for the saint whose name they adopted at confirmation. Another explained, “If it’s for a baby or a child, you pick an angel or a Virgin, but not Jesus. I don’t know why.” Well, this is a start and I know that more answers will flow my way over the coming months.

In the meantime, here’s my Shepherd boy on the steps. Thank you, reflection, for making him look as though he’s having a rest in the street, hanging out with his sheep. Now here’s a window that I can see would be appealing.