David Adam Zielinski
February 18, 2022
The Episcopal Churches of St. Mary Magdalene and St. Martin
Dave was waiting for this sitting so he could donate his hair.
He is donating to Children With Hair Loss. www.childrenwithhairloss.us
This company makes hair pieces for kids with cancer, Alopecia, and other illnesses.
You would be surprised how much of these kids want silver hair.
The pony tail needs to be cut behind so it can’t hit the ground.
They make wigs and extensions out of the hair.
ER: What is your Name? What is your nickname? Do you have a childhood nickname?
DZ: David Adam Zielinski. Dave. Davy Crockett – Thanks a lot, MOM!
ER: How old are you?
DZ: Seasoned!
ER: What is your favorite saying or quote?
DZ: I am who l am!
ER: Where were you born? Where did you grow up? Where do you call home?
DZ: In a hospital…In Lower Michigan…Earth.
ER: Where are your parents/grandparents from? How did they influence you today? (big question)
DZ: Maternal = Germany, Paternal – Poland – Unfortunately all passed before I could be influenced – other than family 1st.
ER: What is your heritage (ethnicity}?
DZ: German/ Polish
ER: Why do you live here? How did you get here?
DZ: I live in Tamarac in a 55+ community. I love it. We moved from crowded crazy Miami.
Moved to Florida MANY years ago for employment with Southland Corp (7-11 Stores)
I came down from Michigan with a friend who lived here.
ER: Do you speak another language?
DZ: Only Muy Muy Poco Espanol
ER: What is your favorite color?
DZ: Anything BRIGHT
ER: Do you have a pet(s)?
DZ: Two adopted/rescued FELINES from the Humane Society of Broward County – Bunnie & Cupcake.
ER: Do you have children? How many? How old are they? Tell us about them.
DZ: One Daughter, would beat me if I tell her age – An amazing, beautiful, charming, loving, sassy Mother & Wife.
I have two grandkids. My grandson just graduated from college.
My grand daughter will graduated from High School this year.
My daughter is a crazy fun mom.
Got her daughter all dressed up for winter during home school during the pandemic.
Sent her out the front door, just to come in the back door to pretend she went to school. so fun!
My husband, Jack and I have been together for 30 years. We have been married for 7 years.
We survived! Jack is from Vermont.
My in laws are just great. When my neighbor passes away we will move to Port Charlotte where Jack’s mom is living in assisted living. Head over to the west coast – away from the craziness.
We talked about his mom moving down here from Michigan.
She said, “You know I don’t like those things that move around on the ground.”
The iguanas. He told her they were more scared of you than you are of them.
She lived in St. Andrews towers. She couldn’t walk over but I could get to her fast.
She loved it there. Bingo, dancing, dressing to the nines.
She fell and fractured her femur.
He got her to the hospital. She had to wear a boot. Dave kept her at his house.
She had a heart attack at his home. Upon recovery from heart attack.
One day she said she didn’t feel good. The next day she didn’t answer the phone.
She had bled out in her apartment.
Her blood pressure went way way down so she was admitted to the ICU.
Mom looked at him and said, “Dave, am I going to die today?”
As he was leaving, she said, “Hey Dave. I won the bingo jackpot today. the money is in my top dresser.”
At 3:55 they called. She had passed at 4:05.
Dave’s mom had a hard life.
My dad died when she was 4 months pregnant with me. He got killed in a weird accident.
Somebody thought my dad was someone who owed him money.
He went on top of this building and dropped a cinder block on his head.
Mom was epileptic since 7.
She got us through it. It was a tough life. She worked hard.
ER: What is your passion? What are you doing when you are most happy?
DZ: To live, laugh & love.( Kitchy, I know.) Spending time with family & helping others in need.
ER: Do you have a mission? A reason for doing that which is your passion?
DZ: I have always cared for the ill & aged. Volunteered with Hospice of Broward County 20+ years – Now w/ VITAS 2.5 yrs.
ER: What is/ was your profession? Is this profession what you were meant to do? Why?
DZ: Retired with 35 years in with the State of Florida Department of Corrections.
NEVER thought I’d be in Prison, but there I was!
When I worked in the prison system I learned that you need to give respect to get respect. When I had to walk around the compound I had an invisible sign around me that said, “Don’t!” Don’t mess with Mr. Z! Tried to get the inmates out of there with a sense of how to make a better life for themselves.
ER: What are you really good at doing? Why?
DZ: I believe I was a great “Entertainer , but that’s an entirely different story/time of life. LOL
ER: What do you do that might change the world? Why?
DZ: I’ve NEVER had the gumption to “change” the world – Live & let live – Know what I know & Do what I do!!
Dave works with Vitas Hospice. He does incredible – this makes the world a better place for many.
I try to make my patients as happy as I can at the end. When I go in to meet them I am like, “this face alone should make you laugh!” I have some wonderful patients. The family members are also there – then I do bereavement calls. 3 months after they pass. See how the families are doing.
I’ve had some patients tell me stuff that they have never told anyone else. It’s safe with you.
We talked about a lot of stuff. That was a family secret. It still is!
I’ve always believed that you should love yourself like your neighbor. Our neighborhood has a lot of widows. We have a key ring with lots of keys. They are “the boys.” They know we will be there for them.
It is a good life. We try to be good people.
How many patients do you see?
Now I have 3 homebound patients. Inpatients. 11 beds. I had 7 patients – in one week I had 3. 4 passed in a week. I don’t get soo attached to them.
One guy 98 years old. A crooner. Singer. Frank Sinatra.
David talked about his very conservative patients that love westerns and Fox News. He has long hair and an earring. Obviously there are some differences of political opinion. I loved his comment, no talking politics or “go put a dollar in the jar!”
While working for Hospice I sit for hours at a time with patients. That takes patience. (He He)
Some of them I sit with while they are sleeping and hold their hands.
Some of the family members realize how important this is because normally the patient doesn’t sleep.
When You come over, they sleep. They are peaceful with you.
I appreciate that.
ER: What makes you feel like part of a community? Why?
DZ: My husband & I live in a “Seasoned” community. We are famously known as the “BOYS.”
We really enjoy helping the neighbors/widows.
Try to be good – try to do good.
They take care of their neighbor, who is 99 – she will be 100 in September. Great story.
I drive her up to Pennsylvania in her new car. Then I rent a car and come back down after I get her house settled.
She is about 4 foot nothin’ with a sailor’s mouth. We have a glass of wine every day at 4:00.
She is one of the original owners in our community – 45 years ago. .
She had bad hearing. People would walk by and said hello. She didn’t answer. They thought she was just mean but she couldn’t hear them.
She is a staunch republican. She should not like us. Long hair, earring, gay.
Her husband passed away 24 years ago. “Same day as Rush Limbaugh.”
“He is in good company up there”
I said, “ that’s nice…beautiful weather today, huh?” LOL
He took her to get the Covid vaccine.
She said Fox News said not to get it but she wanted to live to vote for Trump one more time.
Dave said, “put another dollar in the jar – every time you talk about him!”
Politics are out of bounds!
ER: What is the most interesting thing you have ever done?
DZ: Square Danced @ a national convention w/ South Florida Mustangs in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
ER: What is your greatest accomplishment?
DZ: My Daughter and via her, my Grandchildren
ER: What are your regrets?
DZ: Never being able to travel the world more when younger other than with Rick Steve’ 🙂
ER: What are your struggles?
DZ: Newer and newer TECHNOLOGY gadgets needed more and more in daily living.
About being gay.
Most people don’t realize how difficult it is to come out.
There is so much hate over it. So much misunderstanding.
The father always wants the son to be the tough football player.
So many young people cant face up to it and end up committing suicide.
Couldn’t tell their parents. 90% of the time the mamas know.
Sometimes when the dads come around it might be too late but hopefully all will work out in the end.
My brother and I didn’t talk for 13 years. His wife knew but he was very upset.
My sister in law insisted that he talk with me. We met and talked and changed totally.
We became the brothers we were supposed to be and then he passed on. He was 65.
He was dressed in a white t shirt with the cigarettes in the sleeve at the funeral.
A rocker slicked back like a greaser.
He would have loved it.
At Mother Natalie’s going away party at Taverna Evita she came over and sat down next to me.
She said, “You know your hair is looking really good!”
I said, “I have to confess to you. I really wanted the hair done before I did the transition.” A joke!
“I have seen so many transitions…guys going to women with short hair. It just doesn’t look good!”
She said, “That’s wonderful!”
I said, “You are Soooo gullible!” She laughed so hard she cried.
ER: What are your greatest adventures?
DZ: Having my two feet land on the floor every morning
and living for another day of praise & thankfulness.
