Join author Brad Ryan for an unforgettable evening about family, forgiveness, resilience, and the cross-country adventure that brought him and his grandmother back to each other.
When Brad invited his 85-year-old grandmother, Joy, on a trip to see her first mountain, he hoped the experience might help repair a relationship that had been strained for nearly a decade. That tentative first journey grew into a seven-year adventure to visit all 63 U.S. National Parks. Along the way, the two encountered breathtaking landscapes, confronted long-held family wounds, and discovered new ways of understanding one another.
In his book, Grandma Joy and Me: A Journey of Healing, One National Park at a Time, Brad shares the true story of their travels and the lessons they learned about nature, aging, family, and the possibility of personal transformation at any stage of life. More than a travel story, the book is a moving reflection on what can happen when people choose to reconnect and begin again.
An audience Q&A moderated by Mayor Josh Boschee will follow the presentation. This in-person evening offers a chance to reflect on the relationships that shape us and the journeys, both physical and emotional, that can lead us back to one another.
Copies of the book will be available for purchase from Overbooked.
This event is offered in partnership with The Study ND.