“The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” – Winston Churchill
Gratitude for history can bring its own kind of unexpected lessons. Recently I had one of those moments. I spoke at an event held at the Watergate Hotel – yes, that Watergate Hotel. Even if you weren’t alive during the scandal, the name alone carries weight. It’s one of those cultural reference points that everyone knows, even if the details are a little fuzzy.
I was a child when it unfolded in the early 1970s, so to me, “Watergate” was more of an ominous word than a clear story. I knew something big, messy, and important had happened there… but the specifics? Not so much.
That changed thanks to an unexpected guide.
A Front-Row Seat to History
After my program, a Bell Desk employee named Sammy noticed my interest and said, “Would you like to see something?” He reached behind the desk and pulled out a thick scrapbook filled with newspaper clippings, diagrams, and handwritten notes. Not only that, he offered to give me a personal tour of the exact location where the infamous events took place.
According to Sammy, the burglars chose that room for its strategic overlook and access points. He walked me through what they attempted to do, what went wrong, and how the entire operation unraveled. He even pointed out preserved areas that still hold replica listening equipment. The room itself is now a kind of living exhibit, and yes, you can actually book a stay in it.
There was something surreal about standing in a place where a seemingly small break-in spiraled into a national political crisis: investigations, tapes, trials, and ultimately, a presidential resignation. It made the story feel immediate and real, no longer just a chapter in a textbook.
History Comes Alive in Unexpected Ways
When I returned home, Scott and I began watching White House Plumbers, the mini-series dramatizing the events of Watergate. More than once, during scenes set in the hotel, I got to lean over and say, “I was there.” And honestly? That felt pretty cool.
But beyond the fun of recognizing a location on screen, the entire experience reminded me of something deeper: how much richer life becomes when we stay curious.
Sometimes we learn through documentaries.
Sometimes through books.
And sometimes through someone like Sammy, a keeper of stories, quietly preserving history and connecting past and present for anyone willing to listen.
His enthusiasm transformed a vague childhood reference into something concrete and vivid. It turned a place into a moment. It turned a headline into a human experience.
If curiosity is something you value too, you might enjoy some of the reflections I’ve shared on gratitude and workplace connection here: https://lisaryanspeaks.com/blog
Gratitude for Looking Back
Gratitude doesn’t always show up in big emotional waves. Sometimes it’s sparked by a deeper understanding of the past and how it continues to influence the present.
The Watergate visit made me think about all the pieces of history we’re “sort of familiar with,” the ones we’ve heard referenced in conversations or seen in headlines, but never fully explored. When we take time to learn more, whether through a conversation, a documentary, or a walk through a historic place, we see the world differently.
And maybe, as Churchill suggested, understanding the past helps us better understand our path forward.
If you enjoy stories like this, you may also like my post on gratitude for long-term care workers: https://lisaryanspeaks.com/gratitude-for-long-term-care-workers/
A Question for You
What’s a piece of history you’ve always been kind of familiar with but never really taken the time to explore?
Maybe now is the perfect moment to look back—and see what it reveals.
PS: A Fun Bit of “Recent History”
Hardscape North America (HNA) wrote a lovely profile piece about me for their upcoming conference. It shares parts of my background I don’t often talk about. If you’re curious, you can read it here:
https://www.hardscapingis.com/day-in-the-life/lisa-ryan/
