A FRIENDSHIP ACROSS THE AGES
They spent a few minutes catching up. Two women, a staff member at
"She was a good dancer," Dunn said, grinning at Bouldin. "And she should be here, but she got cancer of the pancreas."
"My grandma passed away from the same thing," Bouldin responded. "Someday it will be cured."
They've discovered the effects of cancer and other things in common since last fall. That's when the friendship began for Dunn, who's 94 years old, and Bouldin, 21.
It started when Bouldin drew the assignment of interviewing a complete stranger at an assisted living facility as part of a semester-long project in his society and aging class at
Soon, Bouldin began meeting with the man 73 years his senior. The ISU senior realized Dunn had a bundle of energy and plenty of stories from a colorful life. In his term paper about Dunn, Bouldin wrote, "
Dunn actually did just that. He worked at
His zest for living made Bouldin's project, and the friendship that developed from it, easier. For Bouldin, their visits became a respite from the demands of college, where he also served as the record-setting punter for ISU's football team. Bethesda Gardens' atmosphere put Bouldin at ease.
"The main joy I get from coming here, aside from just being with Bill, is that you're totally disconnected from college," Bouldin said. What could've felt like an academic chore "became an enjoyment to come down here, get out of the classrooms and football practices and play some skee ball."
Both men grew up in large metropolitan areas before moving to
Dunn is a
Dunn's favorite meal remains the classic combo served at his dad's burger joint -- a hamburger, fries and its signature orange sherbet drink. Bill worked there for his dad through high school. A waitress at the diner, Billie, became Bill's wife of 54 years. Dunn attended
The
"He said, 'You're going to thank me someday because everybody in
As the band in the activities hall played, Dunn said, "When the entertainment's over, we'll get a euchre game going."
Bouldin has enjoyed learning about Dunn's interests and background. It's a rich story. Dunn wrote a book, "Retired at 16," about his uncle,
He and Bouldin laughed as he told that story.
The experience of meeting and becoming friends with Dunn reminds Bouldin of the Mitch Albom story, "Tuesdays with Morrie." Albom reconnected with one of his college professors late in the educator's life, meeting weekly and recounted their renewed relationship in a book and subsequent TV movie.
"There's so much that Bill can teach Thomas or tell Thomas," said Dashiell, the Bethesda executive director. "And, Thomas brings so much joy to Bill. And they've discovered that."
Asked last week what advice he'd give Bouldin, Dunn said, "Just do the best you can. And, if at all possible, whatever your hobby is should be your work."
His young friend responded, "Well, that's the plan. I love hunting and fishing, so I want to be a conservation officer." Bouldin intends to attend a conservation officer academy after graduating in May. He plans to work in
"He's got a total outlook on life that's positive," Bouldin said. "Even in the negatives, he sees the positives."
Bouldin summed up their friendship in his term paper. "I also learned to cherish the little moments in my life a lot more than I originally did," he wrote. "Seeing William talk about the smallest things and remembering some of the memories he shared growing up, which in the [moment] seemed like nothing, suddenly make him smile and laugh.
"I hope I can get to that [point]," Bouldin added, "where no matter where my life takes me, I can find the positive in anything I do."
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