If you’ve driven down Old Fredericksburg Road on your morning commute, chances are you’ve seen her and waved.
For nearly 12 years, Jennifer Hill has been walking the same route. What started as a simple “see me, don’t run over me” wave has turned into something much more. For many in the community, she’s known as the “walking waving lady.”
Presented by Olde Town Plumbing
This article is sponsored by our friends at Olde Town Plumbing, a company with small town vibes and values.
This veteran-owned Boerne business helps homeowners with everything from water heaters to slab leaks, and they’ve built a reputation on honesty and quality work. They’re local, helpful, and budget-friendly. Learn more at oldetownplumbing.com or call (830) 446-5227.
Hill remembers the first person who ever stopped to say hello. They handed her two dog bones tied with a ribbon. That’s when she knew they had moved somewhere pretty special.
Over the past 12 years, she’s come to know many people in the community. In fact, she shares that it’s even how she met her current realtor. She waves to parents dropping their kids off at Geneva, Boerne Middle School South, and Van Raub, along with the occasional work commuter. She’s watched kids grow up, from riding in the back seat to eventually driving themselves to school.
She’s also spent those mornings praying.
“Rain or snow, 7 days a week,” she says, you’ll see her walking and waving. But it’s not just the consistency that makes this story special. It’s the moments that have come from it.
People have recognized her at the eye doctor, at church, and even at HEB, asking if she’s the “walking waving lady.” Over the years, people have shared dog treats for her pups, snacks, plants, and even handwritten notes. One that stands out was from a mom who said she made it through her child’s first week of kindergarten because she saw Jennifer smiling and waving every single day.
Jennifer told me, “Lord, you put me here, so I pray for them.” She says she can often tell when someone is having a hard day, and she’ll quietly say a prayer for them. “I’m not sure the weight they’re carrying, but I can pray.”
One particularly memorable moment came when she experienced vertigo during a walk and found herself struggling near the road. It happened to be a morning when Geneva had a school program, and several cars stopped to check on her. Sue Burk, from Ms. Sue’s Art Studio in Boerne, was the third person to stop and helped her safely out of the road. The two have been friends ever since.
However, all good things eventually come to an end, or at least change.
Jennifer shared that she and her husband, Eddie, will be moving to the Esperanza neighborhood in Boerne. While it’s not far away, it will mean a new walking route and a shift from the familiar faces she’s seen for years.
When asked if there was anything she’d like to say to the hundreds of people she’s waved to over the years, she shared this through tears: “One of the hardest parts of leaving here is the connection I’ve had with the people I’ve seen all those days. It’s going to be strange to walk somewhere different. I’m going to miss the people, the waves, the smiles, and the love.”
The Hill family will be moving on May 14, so if you see her out there in the coming weeks, make sure to wave a little extra.
And if you’re wondering, yes, she plans to keep waving.
“The school is right across the street from our pod,” she said. “I’m excited to see what happens.”
To follow her story, you can visit her Facebook page here.