Camp Grey Dove Follow Up.

Okay, So this whole blogging thing truly is hard to keep up with.

But I have started a little journal on my laptop, so that I can write down certain things at night so that I don't forget by the time I get the chance to share them with y'all...

I do want to share a little something that I think might interest whoever reads my blogs... (More importantly, my Gramma.. who I know reads them daily. I love you Grams.)

First off. A little background info. Peaceable Kingdom was started in memory of a little boy named Charlie who passed away when he was about 11 months due to a heart ailment, in the early 80's. My boss Scott, and his family have been running the place ever since. And it's beautiful, and has already become one of my many "home away from home's."

So with every camp that we have out here we give out the "Baby Charlie Award" to one kiddo who shows courage, and stands out to us as a Staff. Granted, all the kids are worthy of the award each and every week. But we choose to acknowledge one.

So last week there was a beautiful little girl named Kallysta. She's 8 years old I believe.
Well at the beginning of the week she told one of my fellow staff members that she wanted to go home, she was sad, and scared, and didn't want to be here at camp. Well several days later we saw her happy and running around, and enjoying herself. So we asked her how she was doing. And she told us, "I don't want to go home anymore, I know I'm supposed to be here because today I found a quarter outside." We were like uhhh okay... and she said "Before my little sister died we used to collect quarters that we found laying around outside. Because it's really unusual to ever find quarters on the ground."

Well that girl did not hold back after that day, she tried everything. She did all of the high ropes activities, and did them with a big smile. She danced and played. And you could tell that she was just so happy and content. On the last day that we had the kids, we were doing closing ceremonies in the theatre... and Kallysta was randomly following me around.
So she just started talking to me and telling me about the things that her family has experienced. Her little sister passed away 4 years ago. Her name was Justice Faith, and she was 2 years old. She started developing tumors in her brain, and as soon as one was removed, another formed in it's place. The doctors finally told her mom that Justice only has 6 months to live. So together as a family they went to San Antonio for a "Make a Wish Foundation" trip. Which I believe is for children with cancer. And that's when they started collecting quarters.

So here I am with this beautiful little girl who is already filled with so much life, and she's teaching me a life lesson... during a 15 minute conversation at the back of a sloppy joe line. Amazing.
When she walked away, of course Kenny Chesney's- Who You'd Be Today, came on the radio. And made me an even bigger mess....

(Later that night) After all the kids had left, I was cleaning up one of the cabins. And underneath one of the beds I found a little painting, covered in glitter that said, "Justice."

So I cried. Again.
I Love My Job.

Only a life lived for others, is a life worthwhile. -Albert Einstein