Open season on open houses ~ May 30, 2002

David Heiller

 We’ve been to a lot of graduation open houses over the years, but last Sunday’s was the first one we’ve actually put on.

I use the word “we” loosely. To say “we” put it on would be like counting a mule as a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

I was the mule.

I won’t go through the blow by blow of our open house. It would be easier to describe the invasion of Normandy than to describe all the details that went into the open house.

I think it started when Noah was born, and Cindy started making lists, mentally at least, 18 years ago. “Let’s see, we’ll have to wash the curtains, and fix the blinds, and build an addition.^”

The real lists formed about three months ago. Lists of food to buy and make. Lists of things to borrow. Lists of home improvement projects—big ones!—to do.

I can speak with authority on that last item. That hole in the wall in the entryway did need to be fixed. And it had been 10 years since the living room walls were painted. That flower bed on the south side of the house did need to be re-landscaped.

That’s the beauty of an open house. All the improvements aren’t just good for one day. They are good for another 10 years! Or until the next open house, which unfortunately for us is one year from now. (I’m joking, Mollie.)

You learn to appreciate friends when preparing for an open house. We borrowed many items, and we borrowed their time, which is even more precious. Cindy’s brother, Randy, and his wife, Therese, worked almost non-stop for two days helping us get ready, then they helped clean up the mess afterward.

I never knew so much work went into an open house. I’ll never go to another one without tipping my hat to the hosts.

You appreciate good fortune too. The weather forecast for Sunday called for a 40 percent chance of rain, which would have put 50 people in our small house.

I thought of Lisa Cotton, who told me she had called her grandmother the day of her daughter Molly’s open house last year, and asked her to pray for good weather. The weather cleared like the parting of the Red Sea for Molly^’s party.

I thought about asking Lisa for her grandmother’s phone number. But maybe my grandmothers were looking down on me too, because after a cloudy morning with sprinkles of rain, the sky cleared and we had a beautiful day.

The real joy of the open house, of course, came with the friends and family members and acquaintances who attended. It was so great to see them all. Some drove a long way; some came from just down the road. It meant a lot to see them. And even if you don’t get much of a chance to visit—which you don’t—there’s something uplifting in just giving hugs and handshakes, just seeing those people and knowing they are a part of your life and the life of your child.

It was good for our son too, although he wasn’t exactly thrilled with the idea of an open house in the first place. He did a good job of greeting people, of visiting and saying thank you and good bye. That’s a good skill to have, no matter what you decide to do with your life.

A couple comments stand out from the open house, both from seasoned open house veterans.

One was from Sue Breeggemann. She said that you don’t savor an open house until about half an hour before it’s over, when you can finally relax. That’s true.

The other was from Elaine Kiminski. I asked her how she could come to Noah’s open house when they had an open house of their own that night for their son, Jake.

Elaine looked at me like I was crazy, then said with her usual good humor, “We’re Polish.” That explains a lot of things.

Whatever your nationality, I hope you are having a good open house season.