This year, my family was presented with a wonderful and unique opportunity. We are going to spend two months at a summer camp in Maine. My wife is going to work for the camp while my three boys attend it. Since my job allows me to work from home, I'm able to come along... in the words of my boss: "Do you have an internet connection and phone signal? Ok, have fun" :)
Allison's family has been involved with this camp for many years. Back in college, she was a counselor here... and by doing this, she will get to see her mother for 2 months... which is a real blessing- because of geographical distance, she and her mom see each other maybe a couple of times a year...
Due to Matthew being involved with the daily entertainment at Vacation Bible School which ended at noon on Friday, we were forced to drive 1900 miles in 2.5 days, as our goal was to arrive by 8:00pm on Sunday, in time for the first of a weekly ritual of the camp... the Sunday night campfire. This weekly session of sharing, singing, and skits are some of the most important touchstones of this experience. We made it, but just barely....
[caption id="attachment_117" align="alignnone" width="300"]
Our first campfire gathering[/caption]
I'm not a night person, so before this campfire was over... I was really starting to hit the wall, especially after a 12-hour drive that day. But even in my somnolent condition, I was struck by one thing so strongly that I pulled out my journal and wrote about it.
The counselors at this camp, comprised of young people of college age or just a little older, literally come from all over the world. Many of them are former campers, and their presence added a vibrancy that was tangible, a vibrancy that comes only from young men and women in the start of the prime of their lives, who have the whole world before them... with nasty old things like mortgages and PTA meetings and what not WAY OVER the horizon.
These young folk provide the bulk of the skits, songs, and other presentations done at campfire, and the energy and commitment they have to travel this far and mentor younger kids was something to behold... it felt like a pure, raw power that could be tapped. I felt like Rand Al' Thor, knowing that the full power of saidar was there, ready to be grabbed ahold of and used to do wonderful things.
And it also served as a reminder... yes, the countryside here is stunning... the vistas are overwhelmingly beautiful... the climate is so much more enjoyable than Texas... but in the end, it is the people that make a place magical. These wonderful children of our Creator, (whether they acknowledge him or not), and the pure power of the hope and dreams of their lives and their young charges who will arrive in a few days... it makes this place sing.
And oh, I'm looking forward to hearing the rousing chorus... bring it!
Allison's family has been involved with this camp for many years. Back in college, she was a counselor here... and by doing this, she will get to see her mother for 2 months... which is a real blessing- because of geographical distance, she and her mom see each other maybe a couple of times a year...
Due to Matthew being involved with the daily entertainment at Vacation Bible School which ended at noon on Friday, we were forced to drive 1900 miles in 2.5 days, as our goal was to arrive by 8:00pm on Sunday, in time for the first of a weekly ritual of the camp... the Sunday night campfire. This weekly session of sharing, singing, and skits are some of the most important touchstones of this experience. We made it, but just barely....
[caption id="attachment_117" align="alignnone" width="300"]
Our first campfire gathering[/caption]I'm not a night person, so before this campfire was over... I was really starting to hit the wall, especially after a 12-hour drive that day. But even in my somnolent condition, I was struck by one thing so strongly that I pulled out my journal and wrote about it.
The counselors at this camp, comprised of young people of college age or just a little older, literally come from all over the world. Many of them are former campers, and their presence added a vibrancy that was tangible, a vibrancy that comes only from young men and women in the start of the prime of their lives, who have the whole world before them... with nasty old things like mortgages and PTA meetings and what not WAY OVER the horizon.
These young folk provide the bulk of the skits, songs, and other presentations done at campfire, and the energy and commitment they have to travel this far and mentor younger kids was something to behold... it felt like a pure, raw power that could be tapped. I felt like Rand Al' Thor, knowing that the full power of saidar was there, ready to be grabbed ahold of and used to do wonderful things.
And it also served as a reminder... yes, the countryside here is stunning... the vistas are overwhelmingly beautiful... the climate is so much more enjoyable than Texas... but in the end, it is the people that make a place magical. These wonderful children of our Creator, (whether they acknowledge him or not), and the pure power of the hope and dreams of their lives and their young charges who will arrive in a few days... it makes this place sing.
And oh, I'm looking forward to hearing the rousing chorus... bring it!
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Now all you need is a reality TV show to follow all your family's exploits! Nah, that wouldn't be as relaxing but would make you some $!
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