Yesterday, my wife and myself attended a life celebration honoring the career of H. Ralph Schumacher Jr. Ralph was married to Liz Schumacher, who owns Garden Accents of West Conshohocken, PA, where my wife, Madeline has worked for many years.
Through Liz, I was able to meet Ralph, who passed away in July of 2017, dozens of times. But I never really got to know Ralph, who was about 25 years older than me, all that well. I think I was always a bit intimidated by him.
What I came to know, and was confirmed yesterday, was that he was a giant in the field of Rheumatology, primarily at the University of Pennsylvania. And I am not using that word, “Giant”, loosely.
As I sat there and watched very brilliant people give testimonial after testimonial I realized how often we can be surrounded by greatness and not realize it, or take the time to really get to know someone.
Dr. Hal Rutenberg is another prime example. I have been honored to call Hal, who I believe is 82, my friend for nearly twenty years. I was fortunate enough to get to know Hal as my wife has been friends with his wonderful wife Patrice for some time, and we have come to know them as a very special couple. Hal is a practicing cardiologist, and perhaps the most brilliant man I have ever met. His life experiences and recollections can leave you speechless over a nights’ conversation.
But he’s not just a leader in his field, he’s also an accomplished (still performing) Jazz musician, a great husband and father, a war veteran, and a tremendous sports fan. More importantly, he’s the nicest and most down to earth person you might ever meet.
I believe we all have these people in our lives. People who run very deep who we often never get the time to really know or appreciate. And many of these people may be of an older generation, people we have so very much to learn from. I’m hoping that all of us take the time to get to know these people in our lives, instead of having to hear after the fact what a difference maker they were.
Take the time to get to know these people in your life. They will enhance your life. And perhaps pass along a bit of wisdom that you can carry with you for a very long time.
It’s better hearing things first hand, as opposed to a life celebration remembrance. You can become part of that life if you choose to.
Trapped in a Happy Life 