Dear Editor,

Drinking hot chocolate is a great treat in the cold winter months. Holding a warm mug when it’s cold outside is the core of comfort. Winter feels like it lasts forever. As the days and weeks slowly move by like the whipping winds, it is actually a perfect time to start making plans. Not plans to move somewhere warm, but plans for the summer. Specifically, 4th of July! Yes, Independence Day. This year it’s on a Wednesday. Yep, right in the middle of the week. It’s tough to plan a getaway with a Wednesday holiday. Hmmm, you think, as you sip from the warm chocolate mug of cocoa. Then it hits you, an idea. With this winter weather keeping you inside most evenings it gives you a perfect opportunity to organize a team for the Suicide Memorial Walk on Wednesday, July 4, 2018, in Ridgeway at the ball park.

The memorial walk is on the bike trail, which is handicapped, stroller, and pet friendly, not to mention offers areas of intermittent shade. You can feel a smile creeping across your face. As you stare out your frosty window, the thought of the warm sun on your tan face, wearing shorts again and breathing in the fresh summer air puts you in a happy place. As you close your eyes to remember what you know from last year’s memorial walk, you set down your cocoa. Daydreaming of the sun, listening to the live music, and tasting the cold beverages the park has to offer. You take a deep breath and slowly exhale the winter reality as your smile gets bigger and more content. The live butterfly release at the opening of the memorial walk was something that could take your breath away, so meaningful and touching for those who participated. Watching the gentle creatures crawl out of their envelopes and kiss their handler’s hands before gliding away in the soft summer breeze. Slowly watching the butterflies carrying messages of love and memories to heaven in the beautiful glow of dusk. As you socialize, watch ball games and wait for the heart thumping fireworks display, you get the excitement of witnessing the Helicopter Golf Ball drop in the park around 8:00 p.m. You didn’t know Ridgeway could be so much fun on a Wednesday night…or maybe you did.

As you slowly open your eyes you realize you are still sitting in front of that frosted window with an eternity of winter left, and a now lukewarm cocoa. Your smile fades, but you think to yourself, “No better way to make time pass quicker, then to keep myself busy.” Winter is the best time to hold conversations with people because they are isolated in their homes too. Their social schedules of festivals, vacations and outdoor activities aren’t as full. Now is the perfect time to put together a team for the Suicide Memorial Walk and find a sponsor or host a fundraiser. All of the information about registration and teams can be found on the website: http://www.suicide-iowacountywi.org.

Great idea you think, as you get up to dump out your cold cocoa and let the dog out or go do chores. As you stepped outside and hear the squeaky crunch of snow you feel your nostril hairs and eyelashes turn to ice. As you pull your scarf over your mouth you push the thoughts of summer out of your head and go about your business.

Wait a minute! If you’re like most people, you spend the holidays both reflecting on the year that was and thinking about the plans you have for the year to come. This is your opportunity to do something positive for your community in 2018. Even though it’s cold outside, this is the perfect time to start planning for the 4th of July. Talk to your church group, the guys at the feed mill, milk route customers, student/community organization, co-workers or friends and family. They need you to be the leader. They will follow, they just don’t want to be in charge. Even if everyone can’t attend the Suicide Memorial Walk you can get them involved in the fundraising aspect and register them to get a T-shirt. However, if by chance they can make it, the memories will help them make it through the next cold winter.

Stay warm and hopeful,

Susan Springer Judd,

Ridgeway