Tour, Week 3

We've seen so much this week! From thunder and lightning in Houston, TX to a remarkably sad and beautiful Civil War Cemetery in Vicksburg, MS to lush green trees and wildflowers in the meridian of highways across the south, to a historic house attached to the governor's mansion where the authors of the Alabama Book Festival were treated to a lovely meet-and-greet (with "heavy hors d'oeuvres").



Today, though, was something ... unforgettable. There was the not-so-small matter of reconnecting with the "Swear to Howdy ladies" -- the women who first introduced me to Southern hospitality and helped me with the research of Swear to Howdy. It was so wonderful to see them again and they, once again, spoiled me!



But this morning we went to Easter service at the 16th Street Baptist Church. (For you young'uns who aren't aware of the historical significance of this church, I urge you to take a little sidetrack and read this right now.)



Across the street from the church there's a park with a joyful monument honoring  the young girls who were killed during the bombing. I was already crying from across the little plaza, and that didn't get any better as I got closer.



What a horrible time. What a horrible act. What a horrible tragedy for the families.



And yet, the girls are captured there so joyfully. Like their youthful spirit lives on. And freedom does ring.



I love everything about the installation, but the shoes taken off and placed aside really capture something about childhood, joy, and freedom.



I love those shoes.







The 16 St. Baptist Church







Today's Service--the music was fantastic!





A memorial for the 4 girls by the church door where the bomb was placed.