The rains weren't due until about 3:30 to 4 pm and the 90-minute tour was to begin at 2 pm.
I parked up front, not realizing there would be parking further into the cemetery.
That's okay, I needed a nice brisk walk... and I had one, too, from the welcome center to the middle of the shaded area.
Debtors? Not criminals?
These were actually skilled tradesmen who'd ended up in debtors prison because they had come upon hard times and not been able to pay their creditors.
Oglethorpe bought their freedom by paying their debts, making them obligated to sail away to the new world with him.
Smart move.
That talk went for about 15 minutes, then we moved on to the family tomb in which Mary Telfair's body is encased.
Don had quite a lot to say about that feisty woman, too, and the research library, women's hospital, and museum that she set up when she got the family wealth.
Of course, that meant her four brothers pre-deceased her and that the last of them had awarded that fortune to her rather than to someone else.
Our tour guide also talked about the history of Bonaventure Cemetery, once a well-known final resting place for the wealthy after Bonaventure Plantation was bought and turned into Evergreen Cemetery.
The site held that name until the City of Savannah bought it in 1907, changing the name to its present title and opening it to all.
I even saw the American Legion Field there, right across from the grave of Noble Jones, one of Savannah's forefathers whose body was moved from Wormsloe to one other cemetery before finally coming to rest here in the late 1800's.
The American Legion Field (lower center arrow) is where I would like to have a marker, as a member of Post 36; I need to check into that paperwork.
Hard rain cut the tour off at 3:15 and we all hustled off.
Heidi Hoffman of Asbury recognized me earlier, which was very nice!
I shared my umbrella with her and her little dog, Whiskey, when the rain first started.
Then, when the tour was called short, she gave me a lift back to my car.
Right time, right place for me!
She even wished me a good visit with Mama in Greenwich.
(smile!)
I had a good visit, too, as the hard rain abated and eventually stopped.
I usually don't go there on high-traffic days like today, but the meme posted by Sherry Giddens a few days ago prompted my trip.
"God spoke today in flowers, and I, who was waiting on words, almost missed the conversation."
I brought flowers with me, a spray with white petals on five arms, one each for Mama, Jean Marie, and Ronnie, wishing each a 'happy Mother's Day'.
I made sure to enjoy the scenery at each site, too.
Very nice, very reassuring.
Right place, right time.
On my way home, I took the long way around, choosing to drive past my youngest brother's house to see if his kids might be there.
Lo and behold, Hope's car was in the driveway!
So I parked and found all - Tony and Laura, Damon and his daughter Carissa, Hope and her sons Sebi and Bert - had just sat down for a late Sunday dinner.
Tony invited me to stay so I did, dining on baked chicken, macaroni and cheese, Brussels sprouts, Caesar salad, and even tiramisu for dessert.
And we all talked and shared news of our days and it was wonderful!
I even had big hugs from all, especially Hope and Damon, and that was very good, as it had been Christmas when I last saw this niece and nephew.
Right place, right time.
i thank You, God.
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