Stan Wilson
Betty and Ken Levick.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
I interviewed Stan Wilson today and again was struck by just how much I genuinely like these people. As I’ve said, I walk into the Soldiers Home each time with automatic respect for the residents’ service and sacrifice, but beyond that, the more I get to know them individually, the more I am in awe of their intelligence, their humor and, especially, their willingness to let me in.
Today while I was in Bingo, it hit me how many times I’d driven past the Soldiers Home over the years, totally oblivious to the activity, and the amazing people, inside. Thank God I finally pulled in.
Anyway … after the interview, I ran into Mike in the hallway. "I was just going down for a beard trim," he said. "But screw it. I’ll do it another time."
"Go ahead and go," I told him. "You are looking a little shaggy around the edges." For proof, I flicked a few stray beard hairs that were going to seed.
"Nah," he said. "I think they look kind of cute."
OK. He won that one.
So we skipped the barber shop, but on our way outside to soak up a rare sunbreak, Ken called me over to the sitting area where people gather before Bingo. His beautiful wife, Betty, was visiting, and he introduced us.
"You have very warm hands," she told me.
"Warm heart, too," Stan piped in from nearby. See why I like these guys?
Right before Bingo, I told Wesley I wanted to take some pictures of him, and his friends, as his going-away present. "Who would you like pictures with?" I asked.
"Everybody," he said.
So in between games, Wesley stood up and announced he wanted a picture with everyone. "I’m going to the back of the room," he said. "So please come back there."
Well, it turns out people aren’t exactly motivated to move during Bingo when there aren’t prizes involved. Hardly anyone relocated, but after a little prodding (As in: "Gary, get your butt over there."), we gathered enough people to officially declare it a "group shot."
It’s not really an accurate picture of the people Wesley has touched at the Soldiers Home, but it’s certainly a fine representation of the good people there, and the friendships that they form.
I interviewed Stan Wilson today and again was struck by just how much I genuinely like these people. As I’ve said, I walk into the Soldiers Home each time with automatic respect for the residents’ service and sacrifice, but beyond that, the more I get to know them individually, the more I am in awe of their intelligence, their humor and, especially, their willingness to let me in.
Today while I was in Bingo, it hit me how many times I’d driven past the Soldiers Home over the years, totally oblivious to the activity, and the amazing people, inside. Thank God I finally pulled in.
Anyway … after the interview, I ran into Mike in the hallway. "I was just going down for a beard trim," he said. "But screw it. I’ll do it another time."
"Go ahead and go," I told him. "You are looking a little shaggy around the edges." For proof, I flicked a few stray beard hairs that were going to seed.
"Nah," he said. "I think they look kind of cute."
OK. He won that one.
So we skipped the barber shop, but on our way outside to soak up a rare sunbreak, Ken called me over to the sitting area where people gather before Bingo. His beautiful wife, Betty, was visiting, and he introduced us.
"You have very warm hands," she told me.
"Warm heart, too," Stan piped in from nearby. See why I like these guys?
Right before Bingo, I told Wesley I wanted to take some pictures of him, and his friends, as his going-away present. "Who would you like pictures with?" I asked.
"Everybody," he said.
So in between games, Wesley stood up and announced he wanted a picture with everyone. "I’m going to the back of the room," he said. "So please come back there."
Well, it turns out people aren’t exactly motivated to move during Bingo when there aren’t prizes involved. Hardly anyone relocated, but after a little prodding (As in: "Gary, get your butt over there."), we gathered enough people to officially declare it a "group shot."
It’s not really an accurate picture of the people Wesley has touched at the Soldiers Home, but it’s certainly a fine representation of the good people there, and the friendships that they form.
Wesley, center in camo, and his Bingo posse.
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