Every now and then, things need to be put into perspective. I've had quite a busy week, I feel like I haven't slowed down at work at all, I come home completely wiped out. I haven't been complaining (I really don't have anything to complain about anyway), but I haven't been thankful either. I haven't been thankful for all the blessings I have and all the wonderful people in my life. I have an amazing family (both birth family and family that I have chosen to be a part of). I have a great job that I love, I have a church I love and a church family to share my faith with, I have a wonderful home and everything that I could ever need. Today something happened that made me put things into perspective and be more thankful for what I have.
This morning I got the news that our Camp family sent another little angel to Heaven this morning. He was only 10 and he fought hard in his battle with cancer. He is truly a HERO in every sense of the word, his spirit was strong throughout his battle and he went through treatments like a champ! He loved Auburn and several current team members and Aubie visited him in the past few weeks. Lutzenkirchen even told him that the touchdown he scored during the Miss State game was for him.
Next year at Camp, his name will be the first, an hopefully only name read, when we have our candle lighting ceremony. When we have the ceremony, we always play the same song, "Angels Among Us" while we light our candles and leave them on the beach to burn out. Today, this special little boy became one of those "Angels Among Us" and he will be remembered. Today, I wear my heart charm for you...
Angels Among Us
Alabama
I was walking home from school on a cold winter's day
Took a shortcut through the woods and I lost my way
It was getting late and I was scared and alone
Then a kind old man took my hand and led me home
Mama couldn't see him, but he was standing there
But I knew in my heart, he was the answer to my prayers
Oh I believe there are angels among us
Sent down to us from somewhere up above
They come to you and me in our darkest hours
To show us how to live
To teach us how to give
To guide us with a light of love
When life dealt troubled times and had me down on my knees
There's always been someone there to come along and comfort me
A kind word from a stranger to lend a helping hand
A phone call from a friend just to say I understand
Ain't it kind of funny at the dark end of the road
Someone lights the way with just a single ray of hope
Oh I believe there are angels among us
Sent down to us from somewhere up above
They come to you and me in our darkest hours
To show us how to live
To teach us how to give
To guide us with a light of love
They wear so many faces
Show up in the strangest places
Grace us with thier mercy
In our time of need
Oh I believe there are angels among us
Sent down to us from somewhere up above
They come to you and me in our darkest hours
To show us how to live
To teach us how to give
To guide us with a light of love
To guide us with the light of love.
Showing posts with label camp. Show all posts
Showing posts with label camp. Show all posts
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
Hey Campers...
OK, I promised to post about camp, but I know that I won't be able to get the words right. I have already posted pictures to facebook, so I won't repeat them here.
I was introduced to Camp in 2000 by my Tri Delta sisters, but more importantly my roommate, Alisha. As we became friends, Alisha told me one of the reasons she pledged Tri Delta is because of our work with St. Jude (our national philanthropy), and our chapter also took on a local philanthropy, Camp Smile-A-Mile (Camp SAM). We both started going as counselors on the weekends when Camp was in session. I fell in love with Camp immediately, and it has forever changed me as a person. Camp is a place where I don't have to worry about what clothes I wear, what shoes I wear, what my grades are or even if someone will call/text (we have to surrender our phones while at Camp). I don't have to worry about any of that stuff because CAMP IS ALL ABOUT THE KIDS! My needs and wants come well after everyone else's. Aside from how Camp has changed my perspective on life, it has given me some amazing friends. I am in constant contact with counselors and campers who have entered my life, and I can't imagine my life without them, even if I only get to see them once a year!
On July 7th, we arrived at Camp...after lots of hugs and quick catch ups, we began getting ready for the kids to arrive. We have a new program called Junior/Senior Weekend, a transition for the older teens. We still have all the normal camp activities, but we also have mini-educational sessions to help transition to college and the real world. This year we had a small group of only 25 campers, so it was nice to really get to spend time with the friends I have made over the years. Most of the time, the campers just wanted to hang out, talk and enjoy each other's company. I can't even begin to tell you how proud these young adults make me! They have overcome so much in life and they are so grateful for what is given to them. Sunday came way too soon and I miss those kids dearly!
On Monday, July 11th, the second session began, Teen Week, ages 13-15. We had a larger group (41 kids) and of course any time you put 41 teens in a confined space drama is sure to ensue! Dates were very quickly being snatched up for the dance, some kids were starting to pair off, while some couldn't care less about the opposite sex. We had a great week of boat/banana rides, monkey fist making, arts a crafts, games, evening activities, swimming and dancing on tables to The Backstreet Boys. While the days were hot and long, every short night's sleep was worth it! By Wednesday, those of us who had been at Camp for a full week began to get a little loopy! The lack of sleep, lack of energy and sometimes lack of sanity were always trying to pull us down, but we leaned on each other, cried with each other, laughed with each other and made memories that will last us until next year!
Even though I live so far away, Camp is always in my heart. I keep my first monkey's fist hanging from my rearview mirror to remind me that my problems aren't quite as big as they seem at the moment. When I tell people that I volunteer at a Camp for children with cancer during the summers, I always get a positive reaction..."What an amazing thing you do!" "You are so good to give up your time!". Yes, I have given Camp alot, but it in no way can compare to what Camp has DONE to me as a person, how it has CHANGED me as a person and the amazing people it brings to my life each year! I could talk about Camp all day, but until you experience it, you'll never understand.
Hey Campers....Hustle, Hustle, Hustle- HARD!
I was introduced to Camp in 2000 by my Tri Delta sisters, but more importantly my roommate, Alisha. As we became friends, Alisha told me one of the reasons she pledged Tri Delta is because of our work with St. Jude (our national philanthropy), and our chapter also took on a local philanthropy, Camp Smile-A-Mile (Camp SAM). We both started going as counselors on the weekends when Camp was in session. I fell in love with Camp immediately, and it has forever changed me as a person. Camp is a place where I don't have to worry about what clothes I wear, what shoes I wear, what my grades are or even if someone will call/text (we have to surrender our phones while at Camp). I don't have to worry about any of that stuff because CAMP IS ALL ABOUT THE KIDS! My needs and wants come well after everyone else's. Aside from how Camp has changed my perspective on life, it has given me some amazing friends. I am in constant contact with counselors and campers who have entered my life, and I can't imagine my life without them, even if I only get to see them once a year!
On July 7th, we arrived at Camp...after lots of hugs and quick catch ups, we began getting ready for the kids to arrive. We have a new program called Junior/Senior Weekend, a transition for the older teens. We still have all the normal camp activities, but we also have mini-educational sessions to help transition to college and the real world. This year we had a small group of only 25 campers, so it was nice to really get to spend time with the friends I have made over the years. Most of the time, the campers just wanted to hang out, talk and enjoy each other's company. I can't even begin to tell you how proud these young adults make me! They have overcome so much in life and they are so grateful for what is given to them. Sunday came way too soon and I miss those kids dearly!
On Monday, July 11th, the second session began, Teen Week, ages 13-15. We had a larger group (41 kids) and of course any time you put 41 teens in a confined space drama is sure to ensue! Dates were very quickly being snatched up for the dance, some kids were starting to pair off, while some couldn't care less about the opposite sex. We had a great week of boat/banana rides, monkey fist making, arts a crafts, games, evening activities, swimming and dancing on tables to The Backstreet Boys. While the days were hot and long, every short night's sleep was worth it! By Wednesday, those of us who had been at Camp for a full week began to get a little loopy! The lack of sleep, lack of energy and sometimes lack of sanity were always trying to pull us down, but we leaned on each other, cried with each other, laughed with each other and made memories that will last us until next year!
Even though I live so far away, Camp is always in my heart. I keep my first monkey's fist hanging from my rearview mirror to remind me that my problems aren't quite as big as they seem at the moment. When I tell people that I volunteer at a Camp for children with cancer during the summers, I always get a positive reaction..."What an amazing thing you do!" "You are so good to give up your time!". Yes, I have given Camp alot, but it in no way can compare to what Camp has DONE to me as a person, how it has CHANGED me as a person and the amazing people it brings to my life each year! I could talk about Camp all day, but until you experience it, you'll never understand.
Hey Campers....Hustle, Hustle, Hustle- HARD!
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