Hello Dear Readers,
Thank you for the comments and notes you’ve left and emailed in the weeks since my last post. The boys and I are doing okay. I have much to tell you and hope I will soon have the opportunity to do this…
While longer and more meaty posts are difficult at the moment, I thought I could at least visit you with a Weekly Photo Challenge post. The latest challenge, An Unusual Point of View, brought to mind a special opportunity the boys and I had to visit a camp for children who have been touched by cancer.
Camp Good Days and Special Times is an amazing organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for children, adults and families whose lives have been touched by cancer and other life challenges through summer camping experiences and year-round events and activities. Founded over three decades ago by a father whose 8-year-old daughter, Teddi Mervis, was suffering from a malignant brain tumor, the camp was meant to give children who are dealing with cancer — either their own or a parent’s or sibling’s — with a chance to just be kids and forget about this life-threatening disease.
We were fortunate enough to go through a special weekly support program during one phase of my treatment, and then to attend a retreat weekend at the Camp two years ago.
The boys were treated to crafts, an egg hunt, tasty meals, fishing, and other special experiences with me and the four other families who attended. Like my boys, the other children each had a parent with cancer. I was one of three moms and a dad with cancer. My boys were the youngest of the kids, but all of the children seemed grateful to have a weekend with children and families who understood.
It was a wonderful weekend and one I will always be grateful for. So when I was invited to serve as the speaker for a fancy fundraising event held that summer, I happily accepted and sang the organization’s praises.
I am filled with warm memories as I think back to each of these opportunities and to the amazing people who volunteer their time and talent to make Camp Good Days and Special Times the organization it is.
These photos, taken during the retreat, are of a memory garden in a wooded meditation space at the Camp. It is a peaceful little place where campers are taken to reflect and to remember those who have been affected by cancer, both living and dead. We were asked to write our names on a stone and then place it in the garden. You will see close-ups of a turtle painted on a stone, my stone and one of the boys’ stones, and wider shots of the memory garden.
Thank you for continuing to hang in there with me. I hope to return with more than a photo challenge post soon.
Until then… xo
It’s wonderful to see you again. I was getting concerned. Welcome back.
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Thanks so much, Nelson. I hope things are okay with you — actually, I’ll pop over to your blog for a visit before I’m too tired!
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i love the secret life you lead- speaking at fundraisers and winning awards 😉 you rock. i know this was a special event- i hope your upcoming weekend retreat will be as memorable!
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😉 aww, thank you… i don’t rock nearly as much as you with all the incredible things you do, especially for motley zoo and all the animals — i can’t even compare! but i am touched!! love you!
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It sounds like a powerful experience. I’m so glad to hear from you xo
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Thank you! I hope you are hanging in there… I really have to go to bed now, but I will pop over to visit your blog tomorrow. xo
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Hanging in. Hugs xo
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I’m happy to see you back online. I love the turtle stone! Hugs xx
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Thank you, MM! So nice to “see” you here. xx
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You’re looking good.
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Thank you, Rosemarie. I’m looking forward to reading more about your adventure — I know I dropped off along the way!
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Hi sweetie,
Nice Md. sweatshirt :). I miss u! Let’s please talk soon. much love
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Thank you! It is a nice sweatshirt, but not as nice as the lovely girl who gave it to me so many years ago when we really were just girls! 😉 Miss you, too. love you
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Nice Maryland shirt. I’m a native of Maryland.
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Thank you, Curmudgeon! I have a lot of catching up to do over on your blog — I will visit soon. Hope you are hanging in there…
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Good to hear from you! Can’t believe you were so close to me. Camp Good Days is five minutes from my house! And I lived across from it when it first started!
You all continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
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Thank you, Melissa! Wow, what a small world!! — so funny that we were so near your home and that you are so close to Camp Good Days! Thank you for your thoughts and prayers — sending you my warmest thoughts, too. xx
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Good to see you back and great to hear you and the boys are ok. Live the stones, lovely idea.
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Thank you, Fransi!
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We are all still here… waiting and praying for you. I love a good camp story. Thank you for posting this. The cross and star of David belong side by side. The sheer number of rocks is jarring. There is nothing better for the soul than a retreat into nature and I hope you and your boys were rejuvenated. I am grateful to know you are ok and I hope our prayers are sustaining you.
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