Clara

I packed the car with the few belongings I had — my clothing and my computer — and left early morning. Not knowing how much there was ahead of me. Many years of hard work, adventure, pains, and challenges. All of it worth it.

It snowed the entire drive, every mile. After two days, I finally reached my grandmother's house late at night. I opened the door, and with a warm and smiling face, there was Grandma on the couch, happy to see a familiar face.

“I want to live here with you, Grandma.”

“That's nice, honey.”

One of the grandest projects — a new bridge in the backyard, over the brook. Twenty feet long, four feet wide. Designed in SketchUp, inspired by US Forestry Service bridges. Built with two hands, a wheelbarrow, and an uncle.

My grandmother was the supervisor, always checking in on us and making sure we were on schedule. She would watch for hours as I worked, excited to see a new bridge go up in her backyard.

My father looked at it and said, “You built a tank.” I laughed and took the compliment.

The plan was for people to get across. But it became something more — an animal bridge. Deer, beavers, foxes, squirrels, all in need of making it to the other side.