As with everything, Addy Wilder was in command of the day.

The morning began early for Addison and her family. All were with her in Staunton for her graduation from Mary Baldwin College. She represented the fourth generation of young women to walk across the school’s commencement stage.

The field hospital in which “Doc” Wilder was assigned was on the move.

After the sustained and deadly battle of Hurtgen Forest, at the German front, the medical unit had to be relocated. Casualties were severe. By the end of this four-month engagement, over 33,000 American troops died. It was considered one of the bloodiest events in the European theater during WWII.

Since Franklin Wilder was a boy, he loved making boats.

He and his family lived on the outskirts of Savannah. The 900-acre farm was a kingdom to him. It contained vast areas of fragrant pine trees that were harvested for timber. There was a lumber yard and verdant horse paddocks. But the most beguiling aspect of the farm was the fast-running stream that ran across a large portion of the property. Franklin spent many of his early years at the stream and exploring the surrounding woods.

The little Arts and Crafts cottage on the 200 block of Maupas Avenue in Savannah had been owned by the Wilder Family for generations. It was a home of beginnings and of transition.

“Why sir most ladies consider it rude if you stare. But, I take it as a complimentary”. She said it with a charming southern yet aristocratic drawl. “Now don’t you dare apologize,” she laughed.

Franklin Wilder was caught dead to rights.

Nothing was wasted.

Scraps of food were placed into compost bins. Foil was used, washed and reused. Butter wrappers were saved to coat baking pans. Frugality was not just a fad but a way of life. Neighbors shared. The war and the Depression before had left many destitute. It was not uncommon for a housewife to hear a knock at her back door and encounter someone in need of food.

Not many times does a dress have such resonation with a young woman, that she can see herself getting a lifetime of wear from it. However, this is exactly what happened to Addison Wilder.

Franklin Wilder had remained in New York for his Spring Break from Cornell, but he was missing his family. It would the first time he had not attended the Independent Presbyterian Church for Easter service since he was born. And truth be known, he was missing his mother’s cooking. Easter was always a day when all the family gathered and Mrs. Wilder would make the holiday dinner table groan.

Addy had a passion. Actually, she had several. One of them was hats.

Since she could remember, Easter was the time that a new spring hat would come her way. They always made her feel “so grown up.” It started when she was christened.

Addy had a passion. Actually, she had several. One of them was hats.

Since she could remember, Easter was the time that a new spring hat would come her way. They always made her feel “so grown up.” It started when she was christened.

“Momma, why do those boys have lipstick on their cheeks?”

St. Patrick’s Day for the Wilder family was a day of celebration with friends and family. However, they did have an advantage when it came to watching the parade. Addy’s Godfather, Adam Benson owned a spectacular home on the southwest corner of Abercorn and Gwinnett.

“Next in our catalogue is Item #437.

Faberge Walking Stick, 1896. Once owned by the Duke of Windsor. Ebony, 14K gold, diamonds, rubies, Prussian Blue enamelware and rock crystal.

“We will start the bidding at $50,000.”

There was a broken yellow cake with strawberries and sprinkles all over the front porch!

Addy Wilder was fond of recalling a very romantic beginning of her parent’s courtship. It happened when her parents, Peter and Paula, were in the first grade at Charles Ellis Elementary School.

It was a time of great excitement for Franklin Wilder.

His friend Sebastian de Alba had invited him to a reception at the Cuban Embassy in Washington. The senior de Alba had just been posted to the position of ambassador from the island nation.

He promised her Paris.

Clara knew that Doc was a man of his word. He had promised to take her to Paris on their honeymoon. However, the sudden call to arms and his rapid departure did not allow that to happen.

The new term at Cornell was to begin in two weeks.

Franklin had enjoyed the time during the holidays with his family. He loved them and was deeply devoted to them. Being home was a point where he could stop, settle and take stock of his life. He came to two major conclusions.

Addy was a list maker.

Preston was not.

At the first of each year, she would write down all the major events of her life, prioritize them and create steps as to how each would be achieved ~ successfully.”

This year her list went like this…

Addy was wearing white.

But, she always did. It was her signature. However, she never white shoes after Labor Day and never before Easter. She did have her standards! So was the case that evening on Dec 31, 2021. That night, her shoes were red, for a festive touch. She had prepared a charcuterie board with oysters and Red Dragon Cheese. She drank pinot noir. Preston drank gin.

They were watching the ball drop festivities from Times Square from the warmth of her home on Maupas Avenue. The two marveled at the number standing there in the arctic temperatures. The weather in Savannah had been in the 70s all week.

It had been two years since Clara Wilder had kissed her husband (of less than a week) as he boarded the train at the Savannah Station. He left to begin his service to his country as a new doctor in the US Army Medical Corps.

She wrote to “Doc” daily and recounted the news from home. She wrote about their families, her work in the Red Cross Canteen Program, her Victory Garden and even the canning of fruits and vegetables gathered from his grandparent’s farm on the outside of town. All these activities kept her busy. She needed that. Anytime she would stop and think about her husband and the constant threat of danger he was in made her blood run cold. She could not shut her eyes at night.

She decided it was time to have a new human.

Although very slight and only weighing in at five pounds she was a force to be reckoned with. Her coat was sleek and luxurious and the deepest shade of black. Her eyes were a piercing yellow. She was striking. Her powers of command were not evident at first. Her living situation was humble but comfortable. Through a turn of events, she had landed in a low country animal shelter. No one there could recall her circumstances for arrival, but they recognized her as a sweet girl that never seemed to be considered for adoption. It was at least six years that she had been there. The only reason the staff felt she had not been taken was the fact a superstition still lingers about having a black cat.