We all wore red. Red sweaters, red shirts, red shoes and red scarves. After a time, visitors recognized that we were the docents. The ladies in red. Greetings were exchanged as we changed shifts and red passed red in good holiday cheer.
I loved every minute of it!
The event was the annual Reindeer Route sponsored by the Hospital Guild of Elmhurst Memorial Hospital. This was their 35th housewalk and, as it always is, a treat for the holiday spirit.
Karen asked many of us to help by manning one of the houses. I love doing this sort of volunteerism whenever I can. Yes, it usually involves several hours of standing, but, it is always for some sort of fundraiser that provides scholarships or charitable endeavor and is but one small way of giving back to the community.
The Reindeer walk is something that pulls at my heartstrings, and that is okay. Those strings to our hearts are made to be tugged now-and-again, are they not? They remind us of life, its realities and sorrows and joys.
This walk is one I often attended with my dear friend, Juanita. Each time we went, the day was full of snow and slush, and she was always and famously late. I’d forgive her with her typical cheerful greeting and she would always be “decked to the nines” with more jewelry than one could imagine, yet, on her, always looked stylish and right. We would never see all the houses, because we would spend so much time at the ones we did see. “Penny, look at this” or “Juanita, this looks like you”. On we would go, taking time for a coffee and sweets, and her inner Pollyanna; well it always succeeded in making me glad.
Friday’s event was one of the few that I can remember that dawned bright and sunny without any snow. So much the nicer for visitors as they put on those hospital booties to walk through the houses. The weather also brought out more visitors, I’m sure.
I started this post wanting to tell you about the house, and, instead, have taken you on a walk of my own. Indulge me, please, for a few more words as I tell you about the house. It was built in the late 1800’s and has all the nooks and crannies and charm of its era. In an age of McMansions, tear downs and build ups, it was refreshing to witness this endearing home with its cozy feel, warm wood, wavy windows, creaking stairs, and sense of holiday cheer.
I knew the previous owners who so lovingly restored the house some years ago. A young couple, Wendy lost her husband to a sudden heart attack, with two young boys to raise. A few years later, Wendy passed on from cancer. She was in the business of antiques and I have a few bits and bobs that I bought from her booth at a local antique shop. They are nice reminders of her, as were the few hours I spent in the house she brought back to its current glory. I think that Wendy would be pleased at how the house has been kept to its own character and charm.
So go those old circles of life, dear reader. Taking time with friends, service to community, honoring the past while acknowledging the present, and even wearing a dash of red!
A wonderful post with which to start December, Penny. Full of warmth and memories of people who have filled your life. A volunteer event is generally such fun: it’s the camaraderie which makes it stand out. Glad you had a good time!
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Thank you, Kate. What I didn’t mention were all the fine people filling my life on Friday. The is nothing quite like the heart of a volunteer.
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LOVELY post! How I have missed your amazing way with words and their ability to transport me to another world.
A dash of red indeed! I shall be reminded of your volunteer efforts and friendship each time I see that cheery color this holiday season.
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HI, Molly. Nice to see you back and thank you for your kind words. Red it is!
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What a heart-warming story, with the good cheer of friendship and service. Red always cheers me up, and so do your posts.
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That’s so very kind of you to say, Juliet. Thank you.
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I love your beautiful and thoughtful post although I did get a bit tickled thinking about you as “a lady in red”. Christmas always seems to make us nostalgic as we participate in and view those circles of life.
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Now, how did you know there was song written about me. haha It is a season that inspires nostalgia, isn’t it? Too bad we don’t carry all of its good cheer with us throughout the year. Thank you, Janet.
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Penny, if only I known about this, I would have gone! However, your wonderful way with words, as always, told a story that so many us should do more of and that GIVING is the best holiday gift even if it’s in the form of a charity event like this! ox
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I should have thought to tell you, Mary Anne. The Reindeer Route is always a nice event on the first Friday of December and I will try to remember to let you know next year. Giving is the best holiday gift, isn’t it? Thank you, Mary Anne.
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The Reindeer Route sounds just wonderful, and is a wonderful way to raise funds. I enjoyed this post Penny as I did the previous one. I now have A Christmas Memory on order at my library.
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Oh, I hope you enjoy A Christmas Memory, Marilyn. It is such a sweet, tender story. Thank you.
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A very moving and tender post Penny, thank you. I wore a red scarf today but I’m sure the next time I wear it I will think of your “dash of red”!
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Thank you, Janet. I love red scarves. A perfect dash of red.
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Thank you for taking me on this lovely tour (through the house and your memories) — and I didn’t even have to stand up!…. It sounds like a lovely day and the ‘ladies in red’ are a wonderful bunch to do this work!
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You are welcome, Sallie. So glad you could come along on the armchair tour. It was a lovely day and lovely people to work with. Thank you.
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Dear Penny,
Thank you for inviting me to accompany you on your annual Reindeer Route. Your friend Juanita must have been a joy to know and Wendy’s restored Victorian brings back to me memories of Minnesota and the river town I lived in. Many lumber barons lived there in the late 19th century and built solid Victorian houses on the South Hill. I lived in a 1870 lumberjack home that was not nearly so ornate or large, but suited the cats and me for it was cosy and warm in the winter. And yes, the volunteers I’ve met throughout my life do have open and welcoming hearts.
I got a notification from the library yesterday that “A Christmas Memory” is waiting for me there. Thank you for that posting on it!
Peace.
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You are welcome, Dee. Juanita was a joy to know. I’ve been by those Victorians in Stillwater and imagined living in one of them. What stories that old 1870 lumberjack home must have to tell, including your own. What comfort you and the cats must have had there.
Great! I hope you enjoy the book.
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How lovely, Penny! There is no more festive color than Christmas red! I’ve attended a few events like this fundraiser and I always enjoy going through the homes. And I love it when it’s possible to detect just a little bit of the story that goes with the family living there. I’m sure it was with a real touch of sadness remembering Wendy in this way. How nice that we could think of her, too. There are a lot of stored memories in these old homes. Thank you for reminding me to embrace making my own with friends this busy season! Debra
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Thank you, Debra. I hope your commenting means you are with power again. Aren’t these fundraisers interesting and fun, though a lot of work for the organizers – and homeowners! It was nice to be able to celebrate Wendy’s legacy of the home there.
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