I met Leland when he was in school with my son Henry at Calais Elementary. I interviewed him when he was over playing at our house when he was in fourth grade, and I’ve been interviewing him every spring ever since. We’ve talked about deep space, death, girls…sometimes we don’t talk much at all. Leland’s a junior in high school now. He spends most of his time at a technical school working on carpentry. He has his license and his own truck, which doesn’t have much of a muffler.
We sat and talked out by his barn, which overlooks a field and a vernal pool full of spring peepers which is there because of a stuck culvert.
I think most of us would “find 4th-grade me annoying.”
Leland’s thoughts on finding meaning are not far from those of many older adults. A “social pause” to think about things has happened for everyone. “Whether we have all “Thought about things” is another issue. Leland is a wonderful young man. You’re lucky to have him as a friend and we are the hanger-on beneficiaries.
Thank you Elizabeth. This is a lovely comment…
i LOVE leland. we can all learn profound truths from him. and love you, erica, for giving him voice.
Thank you Marianne!