A very rough week
To the editor:
Her name was Jean Berger. She had a passion that would put most to shame. She recited her wedding vows over her husband’s casket. I am ashamed that I don’t know more about her, but here’s who she was to me: a second Mom.
We sat next to each other in choir. She was funny as hell: always laughing, and always at herself. She taught me humility. And grace. She lost a son, Keith, to cancer. Throughout it all, she showed what true strength was, singing over his casket at his funeral. Her husband had Alzheimer’s disease. When he became too ill to care for at home — she visited him every day — at the nursing home. My dad was at the same home for a number of months — and she visited him too. Her love, and beauty and grace knew no bounds.
Jim Berry was my Aroostook County dad. He used to give me wet willies before I told him to stop. And when I asked that — he stopped. Because he was a real man who respected women. He took care of my car. He protected me from abusive bosses. His wife, Laurie, was the love of his life. If I actually meet someone who will love me the way Jim loved Laurie, I will be beyond blessed. He believed in service to country. He was an active member of the Presque Isle Methodist Church, the Presque Isle Kiwanis Club — and he served his country in Vietnam. I used to tease him about being afraid of spiders, but this man was a sniper in the jungles of Vietnam.
I lost both of these people. I still grieve. Thank you to everyone who reached out to me this past week.
Kristine Harger
Windsor, Conn.
