WALK WITH ME, and Remembering

WALK WITH ME ~ heat, humidity and late afternoon thunderstorms have inhibited much of the walkabouts I enjoyed last summer ~ even this week we'll be back to 90-degree temperatures.  Yet I should not complain as this is true in so many places, even worse, accompanied by drought, fire and even flash flooding. Looking down from where I live, toward Monument Park, which extends out on all four sides, I'll just venture into each block today, a brief walk among historic and beautiful buildings.  A brief walk, camera in one hand, water bottle in the other. 

A quiet place to sit and rest, four parks abundant with blooms, benches, and lunch spots extending outward from each side of the monument. Noon time the parks will overflow with business people gathering for outdoor lunchtime. Always a dog walker or two, a few children at play, perhaps dipping toes into the fountains.  Great for people watching.  One statue commemorates George Peabody, whose conservatory, music academy, library and concert hall, all part of Johns Hopkins University, are beautiful and historic buildings dominating one side of the park. 

 

The white marble Graham-Hughes house, completed in 1888, is considered to be  architect George Archers masterpiece.  A corner home, it is a standout among its red brick neighbors, to the north of the monument, facing a park full of flowers this day.  It is permanently closed, and difficult to find any written history on this extraordinary structure.  Even a search at the Library of Congress gives limited information, yet oh, how one longs to see the interior and to know more.  With lacey window curtains, a lamp on a table peeking out, and a potted plant seen ~ one has reason to believe there are residents here, yet in other ways the house seems abandoned, empty and alone.  

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Another day, another time.  A country drive, wandering and searching.  

Hoping to find a small private cemetery, then found in a small wooded area near Woodstock, MD.

A cemetery dedicated for priests of the Jesuit order, today maintained by Georgetown University.

In 1974, a wonderful man, a Jesuit priest, performed the marriage of my husband and I, and he became our friend.  In years following, he baptized both of our children ~ the first in a garden ceremony at the home where we lived at the time, and the second at Holy Trinity in Georgetown, where we had been married.  Years passed by.  

Father Frank moved to new assignments, we moved our family to new places, always in touch with one another.

Through so many years he advised, helped, counseled, and always prayed for us.

Thirty-four years later, 2008.  Father Frank had returned to his hometown, Baltimore, and had retired there in a home for Jesuit priests,

yet he took the time to fly to Florida to perform the marriage ceremony for our daughter, 

the little baby girl he had baptized in a garden so long ago.

Now I am living in Baltimore, it was time to pay my respects, to say thank you

to one who was very important throughout my life.