My wife is the most beautiful woman I know, inside and out. During the hectic Christmas season, she organized 25 Days of Giving for herself and our family. The two of us and our kids (Alex, 11, and Ashley, 9) spent the Christmas season serving at the Humane Society, ringing bells for the Salvation Army, and playing games with residents at Valley Eldercare. She also donated blood, bought gifts for an adopted family, sent calendars to inmates and cards to service members, baked treats for the fire department and our neighbors (who were also treated to our caroling), and donated to Northlands Rescue Mission and Toys for Tots. She kicked off these 25 Days by donating her hair (picture attached), and sprinkled in other random acts of kindness along the way. She paid these acts forward in so many ways… First of all, she inspired others to act with kindness and love by documenting this endeavor on Facebook and shared her stories with friends and family. Our kids were inspired as well – not once during the month of December did they ask about what they were getting for Christmas! And to top things off, she did all of these things while keeping up our home, bringing our kids to various activities, and serving as a full-time paramedic at Altru. This quote sums up what I think of my wife’s work: “You’re a paramedic?? That’s cool, I wanted to do that when I was a kid. What do you make?” WHAT DO I MAKE?? I make holding your hand seem like the most important thing in the world when you’re scared. I can make your child breathe when they stop. I can help your father survive a heart attack. I make myself get out of bed at 5am to make sure your mother has the medicine she needs to live. I work all day to save the lives of strangers. I make my family wait for dinner until I know your family member is taken care of. I make myself skip lunch so that I can make sure that everything I did for your husband today is charted. I make myself work weekends and holidays because people don’t just get sick Monday through Friday. Today, I might save your life. I make a difference, what do you make?” I am certain that there are countless beautiful women (inside and out) in our area, but I hope you will consider my wife for this honor. Sincerely, Dave Berger
