From RYSZARD ROMANIUK

Ryszard Romaniuk

How does one begin interviewing Agata!? Actually I would like to begin with this question:

What don’t I already know? It appears, quite a bit… Let’s start with our meeting place, the Aladdin’s in Independence. Why there? Because Agata won’t just go any place that isn’t serving delicious and healthy food. She was born in Wysokie Mazowieckie, a town in north eastern Poland and home of Mlekovita, a well known large dairy processor of milk and milk products. And so it continues with food! So I come back — this will be published in the Forum!

Ah yes, Forum!… I wanted to enroll in the Bialystok University to study English, as I loved to write, even winning competitions, but as you know I speak my mind, so when during an exam I was asked to name something I disliked, I answered with disarming honesty – grammar! I was not admitted. Following that, I went on  to the regional college in Suwalki for a year, then transferred back to Bialystok. No, I wasn’t dreaming about becoming a teacher but rather a reporter. I regret not continuing there but it was not to be, as my guiding star is ,change’ so instead I packed up and flew to Cleveland. There followed a house, a marriage, a son, and what else? Change! It began with my almost miraculous discovery of the Center. Not finding much to approve there, I began a series of changes. First we organized the basement cabaret, but without a liquor license it was a flop. Then came concerts. Stanley published the Forum describing it as a splendid periodical, motivating me to write, which after all was always my goal. I conducted interviews with individuals from the worlds of academia or arts, such as the political satirist and comic Jan Pietrzak or the singer Irena Jarocka. Their life stories were impressive and totally inspirational. It was at that point when I realized that each individual, regardless of their status, has his/her history which describes circumstances similar to ours: writing about parents, children, fears, mistakes or ‘climbing to the top’. I felt conflicted. This revelation stood against everything I believed. I went for a run, my mind in turmoil, knowing that thinking now, would be useless but believing in a new beginning, from the moment of abandoning my first love. I returned conflicted; should or shouldn’t I admit to my error?

My husband Darek convinced me that I would be happy with him and I still am. Our relationship is continually evolving; we aremaking adjustments as needed to reach a level of mutual satisfaction. At times, we demolish everything and start anew

– together – and that is most important. Religion? I distanced myself from it, but not from the spirituality, always needing to converse with God. Nowadays, Fr. Tom Fanta from the Dominican church in Shaker Heights is my spiritual guide. I’m grateful for his presence, for I need him and like him.

The fear of getting stuck in life without the possibility of change always hovers over me. I don’t want to become old and infirm so I pay obsessive attention to my diet and healthy life style, including running and exercise. I especially treasure the times when I run, when I see the gardens and flowers and the changing seasons. It’s also the time when I talk with God. In addition I am a fitness and yoga trainer – I love it! Attentiveness and spirituality maintain my temperament while exercise does the body, as it should be. I have a certain weakness for the home made baked goodies provided by the Center’s ladies! After having some, I admonish myself for gluttony.

I started a therapist job with Catholic Charities. There I saw apathetic young men sitting in workshops, and during the breaks hiding in clouds of cigarette smoke, while the discouraged therapists overindulged in coffee. Was that to be my dream job? I chased them down and with a smile proposed exercise and yoga, for healing brings joy. They started to believe in a change! And I reaffirmed my believe in the Higher Power.

I enrolled in a school to study toward a new profession, a chemical dependence therapist. This follows my healthy lifestyle philosophy. Once, at a Polonia social gathering I was accused of not being Polish enough, a statement I found hurtful. What does it mean? Should I eat cabbage and pierogis? Attend a Polish church? What are the signs of being patriotic? For me there are many, starting with the taking care of our natural environment, our animals, being kind to others, being happy and smiling, relishing the Nobel Prize awarded to Olga Tokarczuk, reading the poetry of Leśmian, Staff, and Przerwa-Tetmajer.

During my last stay in Poland, I witnessed incidents of appalling treatment of animals. At one time I had a desire to volunteer in caring for them, but was unable to act on it. Seeing so much suffering made my heart ache. Our two dogs are completely spoiled and I know they are happy, for sure.

I have one son and I wish I had many children. My relationship with him is a source of sometimes conflicting emotions and feelings. As he slowly matures into adulthood, I reflect that I’m a good mother and could have more children. My son is the most frequent topic of my conversations with God. What else can I share with you? You know me…

Translated by Julian Boryczewski