SoldiersHomeStories.com
  • Home
  • The Residents' Stories
  • Blog: My Visits with the Veterans
  • Photo Gallery
  • About This Project
  • Soldiers Home History
  • In Memoriam

Working with the Universe

2/9/2010

1 Comment

 
Friday, February 5, 2010

We read "The Alchemist" for Book Club a couple months ago, right when I had first started to really work on this project. I was so incredibly inspired by one of the book’s messages–or, at least, what I interpreted as one of the book’s messages—I adopted it as my own.

Here’s how I remember it: "When you are doing what you are SUPPOSED to do, the universe conspires to help you."

(I have felt since my first visit to the Soldiers Home that I was supposed to be there; same with this project.)  

However, naturally, there’s a Part Two to the message, and it’s far more frustrating than inspiring: As part of the conspiratorial process, the universe will "test" you by throwing obstacles in your way.

Well, I imagine the universe’s throwing arm is soaked in Ben-Gay about now. Today was a day spent fielding obstacles.

The first I threw myself. I woke up with so much energy, and so many good intentions, I was nearly feverish. But then I remembered I had taped "Real Housewives" and "Project Runway."


I finally loaded up my cameras and notes, having warned Mike I’d be out to film him. (He had wanted to get his beard trimmed before his closeup.) I got there as scheduled, but Mike was not quite ready. He’d finally—finally!—gotten his new glasses, which should have been a huge cause for celebration. But they were bifocals, and they were disorienting. He could read, all right, but he couldn’t eat, or concentrate. I suggested he take a nap and try to regroup later.

I headed to the Activity Center looking for another potential interviewee. It was totally empty. No one in the hallways, or on the sidewalks. I was starting to feel dejected. I hung around for an hour or so, checked on Mike (zonked out), and gave up.

Score one for the obstacles. I hope the universe lobs me a couple high fly balls tomorrow.

1 Comment
Laurie
2/22/2010 01:32:29 pm

Sandy,
The site looks great! I haven't been through it all, but I plan to be back! How cool that you're following your heart with this project. Thank you for soldiering on despite the obstacles. These stories need to be told, and that will only happen when someone is there to listen. You're doing a great thing here! Keep up the good work.
-Laurie

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author
    My name is Sandy Deneau Dunham. I'm a journalist who’s worked at The Phoenix Gazette, The (Tacoma) News Tribune,  The Seattle Times, Town Hall Seattle and Pacific Lutheran University. I'm now back at The Seattle Times, as associate editor of its gorgeously glossy Pacific NW magazine. I've been a volunteer at the Washington Soldiers Home and Colony in Orting, Washington, since January 2009, and I am still a remedial videographer.   

     

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed