Field Notes Two.DhudSmith

Today, I met with 5 OPs.

The first was a WWII veteran. He had stories to tell. Many stories. His speech was slurred and slow, but him memory was obviously very clear. He piloted B-24 bombers in Europe and Africa throughout the war. He also manned an outpost during pearl harbor. He recalled these events to me with alarming clarity. He spoke very little about anything else. Perhaps he didn't want to bore me. Or, perhaps those horrific incidents found a more lasting place in his memory. Hid did speak of his wife, however. She lives nearby and he wanted to call her on the telephone. For some reason, the nurses would not let him call her. I didn't understand why a man couldn't call his wife. He doesn't look healthy.

While talking to the veteran, a woman wheeled over between us and began talking. She had a young aura about her. She still has a grasp on the senses (a grasp rarely found in Carlisle). I didn't talk to her very much. She was too excited about the "hot tub" she was about to enjoy to spend much time with me.

After the hot-tub lady, I met with another man, a reader, who apparently spends most of his time in his room. He was a relatively pleasant fellow with a relatively normal life. His daughter buys him books with extra-large print. He reads them constantly. Some are good books, some are not (at least in my opinion). His approach to reading interests me. I pick my books very carefully and read them deliberately. He just reads. He doesn't mind so much what he is reading. He just picks up and reads. He forms his opinions after he is done. There is a wisdom to that. I think I allow my preconceptions to shape my opinions of what I read. I would like to try to emulate this approach.

I then met with the same woman that I spent most of my last time with. Again, I read her the paper. She was excited about an article about her little home-town. She knew many of the people mentioned. She is such a wise woman. She possesses such a profound contentment about everything. She has more than most people, even people of her age. She trusts God for her peace.

Lastly, I met with a German lady who spends all of her time in her room. She scares me a little to be honest. She gives me the impression that I am intruding upon her privacy. I don't feel welcome. Even so, she has a very interesting story. She lived through the Nazi occupation. She and her family have lost so much. Her husband is dead; her senses are failing. I do not think she is content.