Mother, Nature

In Mother, Nature, acclaimed writer Jedidiah Jenkins takes readers on an unforgettable 5,000-mile adventure across America, journeying alongside his quirky, conservative mother Barbara. This poignant narrative explores the deep and often challenging connections between parents and their adult children, set against the backdrop of an epic road trip that traverses vast landscapes and emotional terrains alike.

Jedidiah, a forty-year-old gay man with a passion for travel and storytelling, is captivated by his mother’s past. Barbara, a woman of unwavering faith, once walked across America in the 1970s, a feat that still fascinates her son. Now seventy, Barbara and Jedidiah decide to embark on a cross-country expedition, hoping to bridge the generational and ideological divides that threaten their closeness.

Starting their journey in New Orleans, the duo retrace the steps of the legendary Walk Across America, a literary and cultural sensation co-authored by Barbara and Jedidiah's father, Peter Jenkins. As they make their way to the Oregon coast, Barbara and Jedidiah immerse themselves in true crime podcasts—one of the few media formats they both enjoy—unearthing tales of outlaws and cult leaders that mirror their own quest for understanding and acceptance.

This intimate voyage unfolds with a series of candid and heartfelt conversations, where Jedidiah probes into Barbara's life as a young woman: her dreams, her struggles, and the profound transformation she underwent while walking across the country. Concurrently, he confronts the complexities of her steadfast beliefs, particularly her views on faith that clash with his own life as a gay man.

Throughout the journey, Jenkins uncovers universal themes of love, sacrifice, and the difficult questions that many families face today: How can we maintain relationships when they cause pain? Where do we draw the line between setting boundaries and creating separation? When is it necessary to stand our ground, and when should we choose to let go?

Tender, insightful, and deeply affecting, Mother, Nature delves into the rich and sometimes tumultuous bond between mother and son. It is a profound meditation on the complexity of familial love, showcasing Jenkins' poignant prose and ability to reveal the heart within human connections. Perfect for fans of memoirs that blend adventure with introspection, this book invites readers to reflect on their own relationships and the ties that bind us, even when they are strained.