Detours Can Keep Us on the Road

It isn’t very often that Sheri invites me to attend something that is out of my comfort zone.  Last week she invited me to attend a presentation by Camron Wright, author of The Rent Collector. She had read the book last year with the local book club, enjoyed it and was excited to meet the author. Sponsored by the Island Park Library Friends, it was important to her and I agreed to go. Honestly, I would have been more anxious to attend an elk calling contest but Sheri is supportive during hunting season and I wanted to reciprocate.

The event was held at Harriman State Park, on the grass between the cabins.  We assembled in a semi-circle of camping chairs; Mr. Wright began his presentation with a brief history of the book. His son had gone to Cambodia to shoot a documentary that evolved into a film about a family that was part of a community that lived on the edge of a dump in lean-tos and eked out a living picking and recycling items from the discarded refuse. 

My initial thought was that Cambodia was far removed from Island Park and the story would hold little relevance to me. However as Camron continued to relate the struggle of these people of little means, I was reminded that life is about learning to adapt and overcome.  They had something in common with the early members of my family who scratched out their subsistence a century and a half ago, after crossing the plains to settle in the Rocky Mountains. I reflected on how blessed we are, as Camron gave his presentation against the backdrop of the Henry’s Fork.  Struggling with life’s trials is a universally shared experience. What may seem untenable to us is someone else’s reality. 

Candace Vroman did a nice job of putting the event together. The entire community should be grateful for the work of the Island Park Library Friends. It is worthwhile to join and a bargain at only ten bucks per year! 

We walked back to the truck with Sheri’s trophy, an autographed copy of The Rent Collector tucked under her arm.  I recognized her pride in having filled her tag and I was happy to have participated in the event.