Magnolia Plantation in Charleston SC

Standing at the bank of the river where boats would unload the guests to Magnolia Plantation..

Looking toward the "Big House" from the boat dock

Standing in the big lawn out front

The garden paths were so beautiful, even in winter.

Presidents and other famous people have visited Magnolia.. I am sure there are many stories to be told, from the civil war days until now.   

 

Swamps... and yes. ..alligators. it was a little to chilly for them today...

Slave cabins. The owner of this plantation was a minister so he had conflicting emotions about slavery. But still, he had slaves.  When this was still a working plantation, there was no grass around the cabins, but rather, dirt that they kept swept clean each night. That way, they could tell in the morning if they had snakes around, or deer eating their gardens by the tracks left across the dirt.

Here, the slaves spent any free time they had if they got their quota of work finished early. They would sing, often songs about heaven, because that was their promised freedom. Here, they would plot escape, although there were several ways to prevent them from even WANTING to leave.

We learned that marriage and families were encouraged for two reasons. One, it was future money. Two, families and children kept people together. One  of the greatest punishments for misbehavior was to sell you off to another plantation where you may never see your family again.

I cannot imagine the horror and terrible injustice of slavery.  I can't fathom the inequality of human life that was exhibited then.

But are we so different? Is there people we look down on, or of whom we think we are better?? Maybe it even comes down to racism. We say we aren't racist, but what happens when a family decides to adopt a baby of another color?? I wonder sometimes if we are really any different.

Our little family
This trip has given us opportunity to spend leisure, schedule free time together, unlike any trip we've ever taken.
We consider it a blessing and a GIFT from the hand of our Father.
"we have this moment, to hold in our hands and to touch, as it slips through our fingers like sand...
Yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never come, but we have this moment today"