That’s the only way to describe Hildegard Hillen . As this spry little lady entered the dining hall, there seem to be a twinkle in her eye as she saw the flowers and balloons that adorned her table. As I sat and visited with her, she told me stories about her childhood and growing up in Germany. She told me of her brother Leonard who was a soldier in WWI, and of her brother Otto who spent 5 years in a prison during the war , she never saw either of them again. She said that every time life started to get hard and get her down her “Guardian Christian Angel” would appear to her and and tell her what to do and she would know that everything would be alright.  “I am so blessed for all the things I have, my friends, my room, my clothes, my bed. Everything is a present from my good Lord.” 

With a tear in her eye, she told me of when she met her husband and of how much love she had for him. She also shared about her work with the railroad for 41 years and how she loved her job there. You could see the pride on her face as she described the uniform that she got to wear.

Her guardian angel told her that she would have health and happiness in her life. Looking at her today, she has all of that. She has friends that love her, she has her health, no sickness and she has wonderful memories to share. “When you are healthy, you are rich.” Yes, and  you are very rich! As I was getting ready to leave, she was singing a song in German to a young man who happens to share her birthday.  Happy 102nd Birthday, Hildegard! August 10, 2017.