A marker placed in honor of Donald Jarosek at Esther Short Park.
One thing is certain for those who say they know it all.
They don’t.
For me, the amount I still need to learn is often frightening. But I keep plodding along, hoping to chip away at the formidable amount of help I still need.
There are lots of ways to learn stuff.
When I go out for coffee or lunch, I’m often approached by those who recognize me. They’re mostly constructive and often positive in their opinions of The Columbian and this column.
The same is true when I walk around town. Readers stop to say hello and chat.
Nice!
I also find other advantages to walking. It allows me to take a moment to observe my surroundings. There are always gems to be found. One of my favorite walks is through Esther Short Park. It’s only a couple of blocks from work and it is truly one of the best parks in the country. The mature trees are impressive, the play area for children is joyful,and the gazebo is host to many great musical talents.
I have walked Esther Short Park for years now, but it was just this week I noticed something that, frankly, was in plain sight. And I’d missed it.
There are plaques under the benches at the park that honor residents. All of them, as you might imagine, are very nicely done, paying tribute to those who are named.
But there was one that stood out for me. It honors a man named Donald Jarosek.
I didn’t know Donald, but I’m certain others knew him well. He was a retired air products sales manager, who for a time operated a travel agency in Tacoma. He attended WSU and enjoyed boating and volunteering at Felida Elementary School. He spent his last nine years in Clark County before he died in 2002.
‘Take Time To Dream’
For me, Donald’s plaque at the park stands out because, rather than only recognizing Donald, it delivers a simple but important message.
It reads: “Take Time To Dream.”
I thought about that — a lot — when I made my way back to the office that day. Be you a butcher, a baker or a newspaper-maker, we are all too often caught up in the daily grind. Newspapers, for example, are a 365-day, 24-hour operation. From our early morning police reporter to the very early morning delivery person the next day, it is a constant grind to make the daily miracle happen.
Too many people who live and work here really don’t have time to dream. But wait! We must.
Lunch with Lou
I wondered “What would be my compelling dreams?”
• I dream of enjoying all the little moments with my wife, Maley.
• I dream of my daughter, Danni, being a successful attorney (when she graduates from law school this year) and a great partner with her soon-to-be husband, Steven Solowsky.
• I dream of the leaders of our county — home to so many of us — coming together to act in the best interest of our community.
But I also wondered what your dreams might be. So (dramatic pause required here), I am launching yet another Lunch With Lou campaign.
It’s pretty simple, really. Send me your best dream, something you wish for or hope for. Keep it short, please.
I’ll print the best ones in an upcoming column and one lucky (OK, “lucky” is purely my opinion) contestant will win lunch with me. Plus, I’m buying!
All entries must be submitted either by e-mail to me, text to me, Facebook message to me or a comment to me on this column on our website. Entries must be to me by Oct. 2 and need to include your name, age and what town you live in.
Have fun and remember Donald’s advice: Take time to dream.
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