Hey everyone! I’m writing this from the Highlands Center, preparing to leave for Letcher County, Kentucky. The summer is quickly coming to an end, and I’m starting to reflect on this experience as an entirety. As I visit the last few counties of my summer, I am no longer nervous to travel and spend days with new people.
My past week was full of relaxation and feeling at home. Spending the first half of the week in Kanawha County, West Virginia, I remembered the importance of making your work life fun. Surrounding yourself with like-minded people in work settings is one of the best ways to fight getting burnt out. When you put yourself in good company, waking up at 5 a.m. for hardware runs doesn’t sound all so bad anymore. Trying to incorporate some fun elements into your work week can change your attitude dramatically. In your free time, go out and put work aside, it will be there when you get back.
I spent the latter half of the week in Harlan County, Kentucky. It turns out that Darrell Scott, Patty Loveless, and countless others have been lying for so many years, because I did in fact leave Harlan alive. Not only did I leave Harlan alive, but I left Harlan feeling accomplished. In retrospect, I found myself doing things I normally never would have. I started conversations with the hardware store employees. I asked the Verda Quick Stop workers about their stories. I interacted with homeowner’s kids, and went out of my way to talk to them. Prior to this summer, I would have never done that. I have learned a lot about pushing that perceived awkwardness aside, and acting out of impulse.
This past weekend, I truly felt the connections that I’ve made over the summer come together. Back in Washington County, we stayed up late on the porch playing games and talking well past the formerly enforced quiet time. Going into this summer, I was hesitant to reach out and form those connections first. However, being surrounded by so many motivated and hard-working people has allowed me to form bonds from simply sharing time with them. I couldn’t tell you the first conversations I’ve had with most of these people, but I could share countless stories of the memorable experiences I’ve had with them over the past two months. I wish I could say that I spent time with everyone I saw on the porch, because I know now that everyone here would be a great friend.
Over the next twelve days, I plan on going out of my way to spend time with those around me, whether it’s the staffers, volunteers, homeowners, or anyone in the communities I travel to. I want to hear their stories, and hopefully share a mutual memory of the time we spend together.
See you next week,
Jaxson Gage
Story Gathering Intern
