July 15th PM

After finishing up the interviews with Paul and Susan, we said good-bye and I got back on the road to head towards one more interview. Bruce is an 18-year-old participant in 4-H. I visited with him at his home a few miles south of Brainerd. He lives at his parents place, with a workshop, horses and lots of green space. We chatted at the dining room table.

Bruce is straightforward, kind and self-confident. I took in his story about watching a close call with his uncle when a fire started in their workshop. Weaving through the story Bruce jumped from one realization to the next, landing on the importance of caring about other people, giving of yourself to help others around you and the simple truth that love is worth risk and fear. After the interview we walked outside for the photo. Bruce will be on his way to the cities for a 4H competition. I am hoping I will be able to stop in to the State Fair Grounds while he’s there. I think he would enjoy the people, sounds and sights.


I drove back to Heidi and Adam’s home, reflecting on the stories I’ve heard since July 1st. Leaning from side to side as the road curves, I watch the farm fields, swamps, trees, birds and dead skunks go by. At dinner I talked about my own fears with this trip and the origins of the question I am asking folks. I am exhausted, fatigued and transforming.