Mr. Blumberg

I met Mr. Blumberg today over a small issue at work. He wanted some information about products we had. Little did I know that I would learn more from him than I had ever learned from anyone about love.

His wife, 10 years before passing away, suffered from dementia. It was a disease that stole her short term memory, including her knowledge of how to eat or develop sentences.

When he first had to admit her to a nursing home, he snuck in the back door during feeding time. A staff member fed each person in a methodic and mechanical fashion. After he quietly entered, another individual walked in through the fornt making a bit of noise. With her type of dementia, any noise or distraction will grab her attention and cause her to forget what she was doing. Since the staff member didn't understand her condition, he continued to skip her during the feeding because he "assumed" she wasn't hungry.
From that point on, Mr. Blumberg came every day and sat with his wife to feed her. She would watch Jeopardy while he did this because it was a show she always loved.


Before they knew what was wrong, Mrs. Blumberg had been sent to multiple doctors saying that they had no idea what was wrong, but that she should go to a "really good OBGYN...man". The doctor who made this statement also had a chance to see what an amazing woman she was. She stood up and told him that she came in because her ankle was in pain, and if he didn't know the difference between one end of her leg and the other then he should not be practicing medicine.

Mr. Blumberg is someone I look up to for the love he had for his wife, and I look up to his wife for fighting an awful disease and remaining true to who she was as a woman.

Mrs. Hooper

I met this woman at work who has the most beautiful personality I have ever seen. She has a spirit as alive as anyone of us yet she has seen more of life than we can even fathom.

Mrs. Hooper lost her husband about five years ago. She told me that about 5-6 years before he passed, she forced him to hire someone to do the taxes because he was always grumpy and mean around her birthday (April 12th).

Mrs. Hooper loves betta fish. She used to collect other things, but she has taken a liking to the betta fish because of their personalities. I think they fill a void in her life. She loves her son, but you can see a light has diminished since her husband died.

Old age is hard to come to terms with. Mrs. Hooper deals with feeling young, but then seeing herself in the mirror and wondering who that girl is looking back. I don't think she realizes the beauty that she exudes, despite her old age or back problems. In all honesty, I hope I can be like her one day. The fear of old age and losing the ones you love the most is hard, losing your abilities and independence is hard, but she is so graceful and I know she won't leave without a fight.

Mrs. Hooper is independent and strong. She is loving and fun and has a sense of humor that younger generations can't match.

Today I would like to share this because she is a life worth recognizing and if we are choosing role models, I suggest we consider Mrs. Hooper for the love she has shared and the life she brings to those around her. She has touched my life and I am thankful this holiday season to know her.