In Kingsbury, life moves at a slower pace, one where neighbors know each other by name and sea mist blurs the line between yesterday and today. For Ben Foster, a 20-year-old college student and new resident, the rhythm of life here takes on a special meaning. Recently transferring to Kingsbury Community College, Ben has come not just for an education, but also to care for his grandfather, suffering the early stages of Alzheimer’s. The decision to leave behind a promising future at a larger university wasn’t an easy one, but for Ben, the pull of family was stronger than the lure of academic prestige.
As I sat down with Ben for coffee at the Cardinal Cafe, he shared with me his journey of adaptation, sacrifice, and the unexpected wisdom he’s gained from his grandfather along the way, perhaps the most valuable education of all.
Kingsbury Chronicle: Ben, thank you for taking the time to chat today. Your story is one I know will resonate with many Kingsburians, especially with so many multigenerational homes these days. Could you start by telling us a bit about why you decided to move to town?
Ben Foster: Of course. I was attending college up in Washington, where I grew up, and was really excited about it all–college life, new friends, all of that. But while I was on break, my mom asked me to help my grandfather with a move, so I flew down for a few days. When I saw Granddad’s struggles, I knew I couldn’t just leave. It wasn’t an easy decision, but… well, let’s just say Granddad showed me some of that Kingsbury magic and I knew I had to stay.
KC: It sounds like a huge adjustment, not just academically but personally as well. How has the transition been for you, moving from a bustling university environment to the quieter, slower pace of Kingsbury?
BF: It’s been a change for sure, but in some ways, it feels like coming home. My grandparents had lived here my whole life, so I’ve spent plenty of summers in town. I think that made the move easier, the familiarity. And, the slower pace isn’t really a bad thing, though I do miss the excitement of my old campus sometimes. Being here, though, gives me the space to reflect on what’s most important I guess. Really, taking care of Granddad has become its own kind of education, and adding in my classes at KCC, I feel like I’m learning more than ever before.
KC: I think people often overlook just how much wisdom our elders can share with us these days. Even still, I’m sure his worsening condition has been a struggle. How has your relationship with your grandfather changed since you’ve moved in?
BF: Granddad had always been a kind of rock for me: strong, independent, and full of stories. Of course, some of that has faded now and it’s been a tough experience, but inside, he’s still the same person I’ve always admired. He doesn’t always remember things like he used to, and sometimes I worry he’ll forget I was even there for him, but I wouldn’t trade these moments together for anything. This time together has brought us even closer, I think. Even if he forgets, I won’t, and I’ll know I did everything I could to ease the struggle of his last years, however many he has left.
KC: It sounds like you’re finding a lot of purpose in this experience, even if it wasn’t quite the collegiate journey you expected. What would you say to others who might be facing similar circumstances?
BF: I’d say it’s okay to not have everything figured out. Life does’t always go according to plan, and that’s fine. We put a lot of pressure on ourselves to stick to these straight paths of how things should be, but sometimes you need to leave the path and go your own way. Oh, and if your older family members are trying to tell you something, make sure you take the time to listen.
KC: You’re a testament to that. Finally, as you continue your studies and care for your grandfather, what’s next for you? Do you have any goals or dreams you’re working toward?
BF: For now, my focus is finishing the semester strong. Granddad and I are in a good routine, and I want to keep that going, too. Beyond that, I hope to transfer to a university again next year to expand my studies, one close to home. I plan to major in neuroscience, and hopefully get a job out at the national lab, staying here where Granddad needs me. I’ve learned there’s far more to education than just going to school, and I want to keep that balance going forward.
Ben’s story shows us there are many paths to fulfillment, and tells us about the profound lessons we can learn from those we love most. In a small town like Kingsbury, where life often feels so simple, it’s easy to overlook the complexity of the relationships around us. Ben Foster’s quiet journey reminds us that sometimes the most important lessons don’t come from the classrooms.
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