Jay, who has lived in the Waukesha area for nearly 20 years, is an active volunteer who serves on numerous local boards and committees. He’s married to Colleen with three kids having gone through the Waukesha schools. He is the VP of a local distribution company and currently serves on several area Boards.
Here’s to the most unsung hero of the 2006 Walt Holiday Season – my wife, Colleen!
My co-workers have just left our home following a nice out-of-office get together and clean-up commences once again. Fast becoming a choreographed routine, Colleen has once more organized, cooked, arranged, set-up, and presented a wonderful array of appetizers, snacks, treats, and beverages. …Enough to feed our group and another dozen or so.
Feeling guilty because clean-up is disproportionate (“I’ll do it because you don’t know where it goes…”), I was overwhelmed by the amount of personal effort and number of hours Colleen has invested to make these Holidays special for Family and friends alike. (6) Christmas trees (4’H or larger) individually decorated and color coordinated to match the rooms they are in; another 4-5 smaller trees in bedrooms; and her special “Rock ‘N Roll” tree layered in singing ornaments with Elvis, Bing, Sinatra, Marilyn and many more musical icons represented in the kids lower-level disco. Every surface including mantels and hearths, stair railings, counters, ledges, is festooned with bright festive decorations.
And as I was actually, finally, taking the time to recognize and acknowledge her work, I heard our kids’ voices. Suddenly the true sense of Holiday spirit came over me. Kelly and Jordan are home from college; Caitlin finished her school day; …we’re home together as a family! A warm feeling welled-up while recalling the many memories we have shared over the years during the Holidays: the many ornaments with special significance harking back to the kids first Christmases; the fireplace stockings so critical on St. Nick’s; milk and cookies for Santa; the many different shapes and sizes of Christmas presents under the tree on Christmas morning; and the parental transition from excitement for the young kids to appreciation for the shared experiences we have had.
Thank you Colleen! Assuredly, you are not taken for granted! You truly have made this special time all the better for those around you. Photos and movies are fine, but in the coming years the true spirit of the Walt Family Holidays will live on in the rich textures of our personal memories.
