--- title: "Building Bridges: Presents Zeke" description: Despite living in desperate circumstances Zeke believed in the power of positivity. He believes in living with a smile on his face and a laugh in his heart. Lawrence James Lewis also known as “Zeke” lived through the Great Depression. Zeke’s father worked in Oregon and bought a piece of land with the intention of building their family home but after the Great Depression hit pitched a 1 room tent instead. image: https://blog.eskaton.org/hubfs/Zeke%20pic.jpg --- [![Logo](https://blog.eskaton.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo.png?width=350&height=75&name=Logo.png "Logo")](https://www.eskaton.org/) **[eskaton.org](https://www.eskaton.org/)** [Eskaton](https://blog.eskaton.org/author/eskaton) 5 August, 2019 | 2 min read Search Blog ### Posts by Topic - [Independent Living (157)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/independent-living) - [Assisted Living (105)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/assisted-living) - [Residents + Staff (103)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/residents-staff) - [Wellness Tips (101)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/wellness-tips) - [In the News (81)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/news) - [Information & Assistance (53)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/information-assistance) - [Testimonials (50)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/reviews) - [Philanthropy (43)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/giving) - [Eskaton Village Carmichael (35)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/eskaton-village-carmichael) - [About Eskaton (34)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/eskaton) - [Ask the Expert (30)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/ask-the-expert) - [LifeBios by Students (23)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/lifebios) - [Senior Living Community (19)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/senior-living-community) - [Age is Beautiful (18)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/age-is-beautiful) - [Celebrating Diversity (17)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/celebrating-diversity) - [Living with Dementia (17)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/memory) - [Memory Care (17)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/memory-care) - [Technology (14)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/technology) - [Signs it is Time for Help (13)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/signs-it-is-time-for-help) - [Well-Being Philosophy (13)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/well-being-philosophy) - [Senior Living (12)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/senior-living) - [Emotional Health (7)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/emotional-health) - [Fall Prevention (7)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/fall-prevention) - [Kids Connection (7)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/kids-connection) - [Heart Health (5)](https://blog.eskaton.org/topic/heart-health) ## Building Bridges: Presents Zeke ![Zeke pic](https://blog.eskaton.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Zeke%20pic.jpg?width=1555&name=Zeke%20pic.jpg) **“Don’t be pushed around by the fears in your mind. Be led by the dreams in your heart.” – Roy T. Bennett** Despite living in desperate circumstances, Zeke believed in the power of positivity. He believes in living with a smile on his face and a laugh in his heart. Lawrence James Lewis also known as “Zeke” lived through the Great Depression. Zeke’s father worked in Oregon and bought a piece of land with the intention of building their family home, but after the Great Depression hit he pitched a 1 room tent instead. Lawrence got his nickname when he was in the 8th grade and a bus driver accidentally called him “Zeke”. He has been going by the name ever since. He loves the unique nature of the nickname. He has only met a few others with his name, including a dog. His secret to a life well lived is a sense of humor. Zeke’s sage advice is “listen to what you want, but think your own thoughts”. Zeke recently had the privilege to be a part of a group of residents from Eskaton who met with graduating students from the [Sierra Academy of Expeditionary Learning (SAEL)](http://www.sierraacademy.net/). They were together every Thursday for eight weeks. During that time, they learned about one another, shared stories and developed friendships. --- Zeke also collaborated with SAEL's students to create a *"I am"* poem. This poem captures his love, wisdom and life's story.  I am Zeke Place of Birth Westport, Oregon I am from a union A form of love it’s nature has been bent A time of youth and romance When emotion has been sent The produce name will vary In many different ways To form a seed For the love of a future say home description from hovel to home A cardboard box has no dome I am from an active emotion From a seed allowed to grow Results were not specific or for show Passion or pleasure we’ll never know To fulfill a need to grow Emotional Survival Father Albert Mother Regine I was told to use my own Power at thought Before directing others Religion the closed term I know is atavistic I do not fear the unknown I have little knowledge of ancestry From the love of future say Zeke is also a published author. With the help of [Hospice of the Foothills](http://www.hospiceofthefoothills.org/) and the [Dream Foundation](http://www.dreamfoundation.org/), he wrote “Zeke Ponders On," a collection of poems and short stories. His book is displayed at the library at [Eskaton Village Grass Valley](http://www.eskaton.org/evgv).  ![Zeke book signing-1](https://blog.eskaton.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Zeke%20book%20signing-1.jpg?width=1717&name=Zeke%20book%20signing-1.jpg) ### Share This Post! - - - ## Get in touch! Feel free to contact us to learn more about all of our senior care services. [![Logo REV](https://blog.eskaton.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo%20REV.png?width=1500&height=322&name=Logo%20REV.png "Logo REV")](https://eskaton.org) © 2025 Eskaton • All Rights Reserved - - - -