Observer-Dispatch, Mary Nadeau, Interview June 2010
Why did you write the book?
One day when I was a child, it rained so hard that we could not work in the fields and I had some time to spend together with my dad. Dad showed me an old note that he had written. It read, “God has given me a gift, another girl at 11:30 pm.” I was in fourth grade that year, so I read the note and smiled at my dad. The next thing I decided to do was to imitate my dad by writing what I felt like writing down.
I kept on writing from that time to the present. My writing developed and has turned out to be the focus of my life. I cannot stop thinking about how I can improve my life and my writing and make them more meaningful. These gnawing thoughts about my life have inspired me to create a book for the public that lets people learn about my feelings and experiences from my childhood up until now. Maybe they will compare it to their life to see whether they have an easier or worse life than mine.
This is the sweet and bitter taste of my life; the pursuit of happiness and the perseverance I have always shown that makes me feel as if I raise my hand up there, close to the fully ripe fruits of the mango tree that I used to pick and eat fresh during lunch time. I always wanted and still want that feeling to come back.
Are you a nurse now? What Kind? RN? Where did you go to school for nursing? In Utica?
Currently I work as a registered nurse. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Utica College of Syracuse University in 2008.
Where do you work? And what type of nursing do you do?
I work at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City in a very fast paced medical unit. My work is very tiring, physically and mentally but I enjoy every moment of it especially when I see my patients regain their health and return home thanking me for the care I gave to them. The patients and I both know that life is worth living.
Is your child with you here? In school? Boy? Girl?
I have a daughter, a stepson, and a son. My daughter was born in Uganda and eventually she moved to Italy with me and then finally to America. She graduated from New Hartford Central School and went to Utica College for three years before enlisting in the Navy, were she is continuing her school at Strayer University as she serves. My stepson lives in the Utica area and my son, born in America, is currently attending New Hartford Central School and commutes regularly with my husband between New Hartford and New York City. We consider New York City my workplace and New Hartford our home.
How have your past experiences shaped who you are today?
The most significant influence on my life was my parents, especially my dad. Dad struggled very hard to raise five children alone through war, draught, and poverty. My dad never gave up or abandoned us at a time when most others would have left us with relatives or strangers. While I was in Italy, my dad was walking along a roadway near our village when he was attacked and beaten by rebels and then left to die. He died alone. My dad and mom both wanted me to be a nurse. I am proud of both of them and I hope they are proud of all the work I have done and what I have accomplished in my life, with my education, my work, my family, and bearing up under so many difficulties on three separate continents. I promised myself I would not give up, and I will keep on going relentlessly. This comes from my dad’s example to me and in the end the ultimate sacrifice he made for me and my siblings. His sacrifice is one of the “Gnawing Thoughts” that pushes me ever forward.
Your advice to Americans?
There are three pieces of advice I would give to Americans. The first is, don’t give up. These are relatively difficult times that Americans are finding themselves in, but they are not impossible times. Hard work and perseverance still does pay, but we may all have to work a little harder and persevere a little longer to reach our goals. The second is, better yourself. Take a class, get in shape, eat right, whatever it is you chose to do, when you better yourself you also better your country. The third thing is once a week turn off the TV, computer, Blackberry, or whatever your particular distraction is, and help. There are many organizations that need volunteers, like mine, Lanekatuk Memorial, or help your neighbor, help a veteran, or within your family, help each other. These things not only help you but they help America as well.
Are you a citizen of the U.S. now? Plan to be?
When I immigrated to Italy, I retained my Ugandan citizenship. After I married my husband we discussed about whether we should live in Italy or the United States and decided on living in the United States and that I would apply for citizenship here. It was not an easy decision for me for despite all that I had been through Uganda was and shall always be “home.” One of the wonderful things about America is that I can be an American and still retain for the most part my Ugandan heritage. It took a great deal of commitment and effort from both my husband and I but in 2004, while standing in the Oneida County Executive Chambers, I raised my hand, took the oath, and became an American citizen. One amusing anecdote was that during a particular interview from the immigration office, they took my husband and I in separately and asked us a series of questions. One of the questions they asked was “What did you have for supper last night?” I had made stake and had over cooked it. When it was my husband’s turn the interviewer asked him, “What did you have for dinner last night?” Being a typical American male he couldn’t remember, so the interviewer helped him along and said “So what happened at dinner?” and he said, “Oh yes, the steak got burned” and everyone had a good laugh.
Any other comments?
I have three major goals remaining that I would like to accomplish in my life time. The first is to return home and visit my father’s grave and say my final goodbyes, to thank the people who buried him, and hopefully find a little peace in that aspect of my life. The second is to continue my schooling and become a Nurse Practitioner. The third thing is to open a medical clinic and school in my old home in the memory of my father. To that end I have founded Lanekatuk Memorial, Inc., part of the proceeds from my book will go to the organization. The war in northern Uganda is considered over, but after nearly twenty years of war and devastation the Ugandan government is telling the people to return back to their villages, while in truth is there is literally nothing to return home to. Where twenty years ago a village once stood now there is nothing but bush and rock. I would ask your readers to please help. They can go to our website at www.lanekatukmemorial.org for more information.
