Well, much to the surprise of all of the little Nutlings in attendance last night, that’s a wrap.
For 26 years, my wonderful adopted mom, Donna Schwartz of Port Huron, has hosted the annual barbecue dinner for her self-established Golden Nut Club.
Donna began the Golden Nut Club decades ago when she began inviting women, one at a time, to her home, for an afternoon of lunch and conversation.
Some women she knew well, others she didn’t know at all.
But by the end of each lunch, she knew all of them better.
And, at the end of each lunch, she declared them an official member of her superbly unofficial Golden Nut Club.
Then, once a year, always on the 19th of August, she invited all of her beloved “Nutlings” to her home for a gathering to meet new friends and reacquaint with old.
My adopted Pa, Chef Dave, always rustled up something yummy on the grill, and all of the Nutlings brought a dish to pass and a gift to exchange.
But, as Donna-Mom’s invitation always stated: “Bring a dish to share if it is convenient, if not, don’t worry. We always have enough.”
And we always did.
When I was younger, I’m not sure I fully appreciated what Donna had so carefully and lovingly built: a gathering of women from all walks of life, who faithfully reserved August 19, every year, to show up and eat a pot luck meal surrounded by women, many of whom they barely knew…but, by the end of the evening, with whom they had shared a deeply meaningful, loving and warm hearted experience.
Donna, for sure, is the trunk of the oak tree that connects all of the nutlings. She is mighty and strong.
Retired for many years, she led by example whether teaching dance and choreography at St Clair County Community College, or working in community relations at River District Hospital, or, finally, serving as the executive director of the Michigan Waterways Council of Girl Scouts.
There was no better woman to serve as a role model to young women in scouting: she is no-nonsense with a little tough love thrown in, she is encouraging, she is brave herself, and, as a mother of six and adopted mother to a small flock more, like me, she knows how to gently nudge small chicks out of the nest to take flight on their own.
All of her nutlings, some of whom were older than she, some of whom were decades younger, have learned from watching her live so graciously and joyfully.
Because Donna IS joy. Pure, unadulterated joy.
Over the past 26 years, she welcomed more than 100 women into the Golden Nut Club.
Ironically, as of last night, 26 have died since being inducted.
A number of Golden Nuts have moved from the area.
Last night, more than 40 Nutlings gathered in her beautiful backyard and were stunned when, at the conclusion of the evening, she announced, in her very pragmatic, motherly, it’s-time-to-move-on way, “This will be the last gathering of nuts. I’m 87! It’s a lot of work!”
I think we were all stunned, but I was not completely surprised. She IS 87, and at that point in life, you make decisions regarding what should carry on for the remainder of your time on this earth, and what can be carefully let go, knowing it brought joy and love and friendship and laughter, but, its season has ended.
All nutlings were encouraged to take home with them pieces of her collection of golden nut decor.
Her only request was this: please display the acorns and golden nuts in our homes, every August 19, and raise a glass in memory of our Golden Nut Gatherings and recite the Golden Nut creed:
“May the light always find you on a dreary day, when you need to be home may you find your way, may you always have courage to take a chance, and never find frogs in your underpants.”
Thank you, Donna Mom, for showing us all how to be a kind, generous, and joyful woman, and how to be the strongest oak tree in the forest, sprinkling nutlings who can carry on and spread your joy in the world long after our gatherings have ended.
Please hit SHARE so more people can enjoy this content.
Please hit FOLLOW for more Great Lakes nautical, waterfront living, creative/designy, Lefty Liberal Politics, and Grumpy Patti content.
Leave a Reply