Adversity | Praise | Service | Success | Trial | Unity

MAKING MUSIC TOGETHER
Someone recently shared with me a magazine article about two women who are residents of the Southeast Senior Center for Independent Living in Englewood, New Jersey. Their names are Margaret Patrick and Ruth Eisenberg. Margaret is black and Ruth is Jewish. Both are accomplished pianists and were esteemed piano teachers. Five years ago each suffered a crippling stroke. Margaret barely survived. She spent months in hospitals and rehabilitation centers, finally regaining movement on her left side. Her right side is still paralyzed. She says often in halting speech, “I am happy to be alive.” Ruth Eisenberg is a wisecracking wit, and she now laughs about that moment when she suffered the stroke and lay on the floor of her apartment undiscovered for two days. Ruth recovered but she does not have the use of her left side and is confined to a wheelchair. The two women met after both were referred to the center. They soon learned of their mutual love…