The Christmas Pin Society, Chapter Two

Each day a new chapter will be added! Enjoy!

The Christmas Pin Society

by Marianne Coyne
copyright © Marianne Coyne 2006

Chapter Two

The next December brought about another opportunity to take time out from our normal schedules; enjoying a pre-Christmas breather, and to exchange gifts. After the success of our first luncheon, we decided to continue the Christmas pin tradition. Each woman chose a number from one to five. The name which correlated with the number chosen would be the person she would choose a pin for. The remaining name would be the recipient of my gift. It was a wonderful way to start a collection, and it was always fun to see each distinct and vibrant selection.

Angel, Hannah, Belinda, Kathy, and myself, Emma Perillo, were as distinctive and vibrant as the pins we wore. Angel Nolan, who started it all with my candy cane pin, was a pleasant woman who had a robust concern for her family. Her husband, Joe, used to say that Angel was the first to rise in the morning, and the last to bed at night. Her faithful attendance to her three children was unprecedented, and her energy seemed inexhaustible. She had two boys, John, the eldest, and Joe Jr.; her daughter, Alice, was the youngest. They seemed to like their mom's active school volunteering, and didn't fuss much about helping her keep the house in order. The family's ties were strong and loving.

Hannah Jenks was a determined woman, whose sometimes rocky marriage gave her an opportunity to show her strength. Her husband, Harold, a good man, worked hard, and tried his best; but he and Hannah had a difficult time communicating, which was a constant threat to their relationship. As awkward as it was, Hannah kept optimistic that she and Harold would persevere. They seemingly endured in spite of their adversity, which was to the peace of mind of their only child, Elizabeth.

Belinda Stofferson was a dear friend to us all. She was married to an equally endearing man, Paul, who thought the world of her. Although Belinda had no children of her own, she was well loved by all of ours, and affectionately referred to as "Aunt Belinda". She remembered all their birthdays and special school events. When any one of our children was sick with a cold she was at the door ~ before the child could say "aah-choo"~ with a pot of her delicious, healing chicken soup. She was gentle, compassionate, and a blessing to our group.

If you ever wanted to see a person defy gravity, it would be Kathy Strand. Her sunny personality and cheery outlook gave her an airy countenance. She was funny, loyal, and kind. Her husband, Arthur, adores her as do their four children; Michael, Alex, Sarah, and Rosey. Although as children they sometimes complained about their mom's quirky demeanor, and her unusual approach to solving problems, they would not have changed her for the world.

My husband, Frank, and I have two beautiful children; Ben and Isabel. We have done our best to live purposeful lives with love and tradition, while passing on that way of being to our children.

Active family lives and growing children did not hinder our friendships from remaining attentive, loving, and fruitful; rather it added to it. And our newly established Christmas-pin lunches were just another extension of our creative imaginations.

Year after year not one of us missed a lunch; except for Kathy, when her son, Alex, had the flu. Year after year we gave our thanks, ate our delectables, and savored the moment of giving and receiving our new Christmas pins. For twenty-two years the Christmas Pin Society, as we came to call ourselves, continued its tradition. We never thought of it ending ~until it did.