Hope Lodge

So tonight Mom and I went to Hope Lodge to cook dinner for the people staying there.Hope Lodge is a facility run by the American Cancer Society for people undergoing chemo/radiation and up to two family members or friends. It's sort of like the Ronald McDonald House, only it's 18 and up. There's at least one in 29 states, and they hope to have one in every state in the next 6 years or so. The one here in Burlington has 16 rooms, a big kitchen (with a lovely Meredith backsplash donated by North Country Tile) , living room, tv room, and laundry room (with beautiful new appliances that Whirlpool donated to all Hope Lodges across the country).

Mom made her fabulous lasagna and I made a salad, and the whole thing was a big hit. I had a really nice time talking to everyone there. At dinner there were 11 people, all of whom I believe are from Vermont. It was a very much a typical round-table of native Vermonters- everyone talking about the people they knew in common, the local organizations they belong to, etc. We talked about the inauguration tomorrow, and who knew people that we going. There was also a long discussion about a Butternut Tree, and I'm still not sure what that is, but apparently I've been missing out because apparently butternuts are fabulous.

I sat across from an older woman who was there while receiving treatment. She and I talked about where I was traveling to, and some of her adventures from her younger years. She's a justice of the peace, and we talked about some of the crazy weddings she's officiated, including under a waterfall. Not behind, not in front, under- "We were soaking wet!" seemed to be what she remembered most about it. We sat at the table for over an hour, listening to stories mostly of everyone's travels (aside from the Butternut disertation). Duncan, a man there also receiving treatment, talked about when he lived in California they would go down to a small town on the Baha Pennisula of Mexico to go fishing, staying a place with no electricity or running water, and how much he loved it. Now it has 5 story hotel and chain restaurants. My mom and the couple next to her had a long, loonng talk (with pictures) of their motor home, something my Dad dreams of retiring to. They drive to San Diego every year from Vermont.

I was honestly expecting people to seem a little 'sicker'. I don't really know what I mean by that, but I guess for people to look worse, or act sick, or something. It couldn't have been further from the truth- the vibe was so upbeat. Everyone was so thankful for the dinner, and so willing to share stories, and no one talked about cancer or treatment. I think it was the perfect way to spend Martin Luther King Jr. Day, doing something good for others. Now I'm off to watch more about the inauguration. I can't image feeling any more positive or inspired than I do right now.