Husband Decorates His Neighbors' Homes For Wife Who Loves Christmas
December 20, 2024
While many struggle to find time to decorate their homes and yards during the holiday season, Indianola, Iowa’s East Franklin Avenue, is wonderfully festive because one of the street’s residents has decorated all of his neighbors’ homes for them! He does it for the love of his wife, Joan, and he’s not stopping anytime soon!
John and Joan Reichart live in the heart of America. Indianola, Iowa, is home to approximately 16,000 people, according to the 2020 census, and it’s just 14 miles south of Des Moines. Indianola is home to the annual National Balloon Classic, a nine-day hot air balloon festival that’s held each summer. And, in December, it’s home to some fantastic Christmas lights—compliments of John and his big heart!
The Couple Share a Love For Christmas
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The couple, who have been married for 53 years, share a love of Christmas. The 74-year-old Marine Veteran now dedicates months to making memories at Christmastime. Joan is a breast cancer survivor, and she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s four years ago. John aims to help Joan enjoy as many Christmas memories as possible. He began assembling Christmas decor in his garage back in September and decorated more than 20 homes this year!
Mr. Reichart shared, “If it wasn’t for my wife, I don’t know if I would’ve done it. But she wanted Christmas, so I gave it to her. I’d do anything to make her happy.”
Neighbors feel blessed to have John on their street, bringing so much joy during the holiday season. John donates his time and money to create magic in his little part of Indianola, but now many volunteers help set up lights and decorations. Of course, lots of light lovers drive by throughout the season to check out the flashing rooflines, Christmas characters, dazzling trees, and more.
She Inspires John’s Labor of Love
Joan inspires John’s labor of love, and he’s thrilled that it makes others happy. He said, “If one person drives by and feels happiness in their heart, you know, then I've done my job.”
John doesn’t have any plans to give up his house-decorating tradition. He shared with CBS News, “As long as she's OK, and even if she would pass, I'm gonna do it in her memory as long as I can do it.”
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Christmas Tree Planted Back in 1979 Inspires and Unites a Small English Village
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5
WATCH: Husband Decorates His Neighbors' Homes For Wife Who Loves Christmas
LISTEN: Husband Pays For 40 Pet Adoptions For Wife's 40th Birthday | Soldier Reunites With Military Dog Yyacob After Years Apart
h/t: CBS News
Featured Image Credit: YouTube/CBS Evening News
Hally is a freelance writer, blogger, and mental health advocate. A former school counselor, Hally works for a nonprofit that distributes tax dollars to mental health and prevention education providers that serve her county's kids and families. She's a contributor to a devotional and two essay collectives, and she shares resources and wisdom regarding parenting teens, mental health, faith, adoption, and more at https://www.hallyjwells.com where she strives to "Dig Deep and Reach High." She and her husband have three adult children and one rascally beagle pup. Hally loves travel, her book club sisters, personality tests, and a great glass of iced tea.
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A Prayer for Gratitude to Grow Your Joy - Your Daily Prayer - July 22
I wonder, do you feel much joy today? Or does it seem for one reason or another that your smiles seem to be hiding below the surface, too?
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