Letter to Camp

I have a theory. If you want your children to listen as you wax eloquent, wait until they are trapped in a moving vehicle. Or, if they happen to work as camp counselors during the summer, send an unexpected letter. That is possibly your best chance that they will pay attention to what you have to say. Blazing heat and fatigue, mixed with a healthy dose of curiosity and homesickness, can be powerful tools in the parental arsenal. If you want to improve the odds they may actually remember what you say, try seeing in how many ways you can say “respect.” With kids, it's never a sure thing that you'll get through, but it's worth a shot anyway. 

Dear Spencer,

I’m so proud of you and what you are doing.  I know it is hard work and a big commitment to be a counselor.  You will probably never know what your gift means to others.  But you can be assured every person there, including you, is there because God ordained it at this time and this place.  Keep your eyes open to see what he has for you.

Spencer, you are a good role model for others, and the endearing thing is you don’t even know it.  That’s good. Wouldn’t want you to be uppity or anything!

I respect you for who you are and for what you have accomplished.  I am proud of the man you are becoming.  You have had more on your plate than most people will ever experience, and you have persevered, grown, and learned from your experiences.  And now you offer those hard-earned lessons as a gift to others.

Spencer, you are hard on yourself about your grades in school, and that is good because it means you care and are willing to keep working at it. School is such a big part of a young person’s life that it is hard not to judge ourselves solely by academic standards.  First of all, your grades are not as bad as you seem to think, and more important than any grade could ever be, I want you to see that in things that really matter, you are an A++ student! Your heart of compassion shines. You share your talents and gifts and are willing to work to the benefit of others and to serve the Lord. And you are loyal.

Warning! Mother moment ahead!

Sometimes, Spencer, you are loyal to a fault. Be careful to whom you give your loyalty!

Bishop Stough used to say he believed there was one question we will all be asked when we get to heaven, “How well did you love?” 


Spencer, you love much.

It won’t be long now before you go to college, and I won’t see you everyday.  You are going on to the next phase of your life which is as it should be.  But I want you to know I’ll miss having you here all the time.  I consider the years we have had together to be one of the greatest gifts in my life.  Even though we both wish we still had your Mom, I cherish the opportunity to be together. You have always been a big part of my heart, and I would fight to the death to protect you (and just about have!!)

I know there have probably been times when you must have wondered what happened to the sweet grandmother who never fussed, who let you eat all the cookies you wanted--do anything you wanted to do any time--all the time! She’s still here, Spencer.  She’s just trying to do her best at mother things.

Speaking of mother things, if you go off to school and don’t call me at least twice a week, I’m going to chop your head off!!

Well. . . on that cheerful note, I’ll stop. Have a great weekend.  They are lucky to have you.  

I love you.


Reflections:


"Parents can only give them good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person's character lies in their own hands."~Anne Frank


"Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children."~Charles Swindoll


"Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and do not foresake your mother's teaching; for indeed they are a graceful wreath to your head and ornaments about your neck."~Proverbs 1:8-9


"Even a child is known by his doings."~Proverbs 20:11


-What have been the greatest gifts in my life?
-What experiences have led to growth in my life? What gifts do I have to offer as a result?
-What character traits do I most admire in others?
-How would I wish to be "known by my doings?"
-How well have I loved?


Prayer:


"Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart."~From the Book of Common Prayer