Nomination Letter

Written by Yasuko, Sarah’s client 

Sarah Shoup is the name of the Angle who started working for us as a caregiver since September 2019. First impression was “she’s down to earth”. I showed her how to use the sit & lift machine and how to give him a shower. She was a quick learner. My husband Ed had a stroke in 2013. Right side of his body was paralyzed. He couldn’t talk, “No” is the only word he could say. He went through a hospital – rehab center -nursing home. Three months later he came home, but he was like a baby. One day, Sarah was taking him to the bathroom, and he had to pass gas. Imagine she was using the “sit & lift” machine, so it hit right on her. I was so embarrassed and sorry for her. I was about to say, “excuse him, I will open the window” then she started to hum “Sound of Music”, so we all laughed. She got a great sense of humor. My brother is a doctor (he is retired now) but he used to go to see many patients who had stroke at nursing home. He was coaching me how to give exercise and taking care of Ed through international call from Japan. First, I thought I was giving him exercise for Ed’s legs, but two years later it worked on his brain. He started to understand very well, yet he still cannot talk. Normally people don’t talk to him. Sarah gives him exercise using a “trapeze” and let him upper body lift. She treats him as a normal person, not as a patient. Sarah talks to Ed as if he’s her own father or a friend.  

When I come home from a grocery shopping, as soon as she sees me, she comes to the garage and takes all the food and big cooler. I never asked her, but her actions come so naturally. I don’t have to ask her anything, if she noticed she fixed them for us without telling us, that’s her nature.  

I told Sarah, Ed used to treat me like a queen. Cooking was his hobby, so every special occasion like Valentine’s Day he made bread from scratch, beautiful breakfast, and served with a rose. I miss his breakfast. On my birthday when Sarah woke me up, I almost jumped off from my bed. I thought something happened to him. Then I saw her carrying a tray with a rose plus breakfast saying, “Happy Birthday”. She said, “I just wanted to help Ed continue to do things he used to do for you. I didn’t know what to say, I just cried with joy.  

I think giving a gift to someone provides some measure of pleasure, even though it is always temporary, but being a part of a memory especially a pleasant one like this – we carry with us the rest of our lives. These gifts hold a value that cannot be measured. Sarah is giving us a special gift.  

Everybody must have a good day and a bad day, but Sarah always starts with a Big Smile on her face, “Good Morning”. Ed is a morning person, so when he wakes up like 5:30 he is watching at the window till Sarah shows up at 7:30, as if a little boy is waiting to see his mom come home.  

Every day I feel different. Sometimes I feel so weak. Ed is 77 years old and I’m 76. Many people are dying because of the Coronavirus, but we are still here. Sarah never missed a day so far. Thank you very much for sending a wonderful Angel for us. You are the best. As long as we could get care from you, we have hope.  

God bless you.