How does Eileen stay so healthy and energetic? "I never got married," she tells me with a glimmer in her eye and a smile, "but I sure have dated a lot!"
Today I got to be Eileen's date on the way to her doctor's office. She told me all about the benefits of holistic medicine, yoga, and a positive attitude. I'd only driven her once before -- and that was countless months ago. Still, when she saw me, she gave me a big, fat smile, and an even bigger hug.
Then during our trip through downtown Seattle, she filled me in on how much weight a construction crane can bear; how big the cab of a crane is; how long it takes for the average worker to climb up to the cab. How does she know all this? There's a phase of construction going on right outside her window that'll last for a couple weeks. Each day the crew fires up at FIVE IN THE MORNING. Ugh.
The construction company came to her building to address residents' concerns. No doubt they were prepared for complaints and abuse. Instead, Eileen met them with curiosity and encouragement.
"But, Eileen," I said, "doesn't the noise and dust drive you nuts?!"
"Well, it's not their fault. And besides, I like looking out my window and seeing things being built," she said. Then with another smile and glimmer, she pointed at herself, "For years I've had a front row view of things falling apart."
(After the Aurora Bridge crash, people in our area jumped into action, donating hotel rooms, blood, prayers, challenging Seattleites' reputation for being chilly. It inspired me to pass along stories of when we see people in the community coming together, or what I call #SeattleAntifreeze).
KIRO
