Killian Confessions - Colorado through Charlottesville: Greystone

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Nearly two weeks ago, I dropped off my baby girl for her second time at Greystone. Only 7 years old, she started her countdown months ago---she couldn't articulate all of the reasons she was so anxious to go back, but she very well remembered how Greystone made her feel last year. At 6, she had no trepidation at all about the experience and squealed with delight all year at the thought of going back.

She could not always communicate why Greystone brings nothing but a smile to her face, but it reminds me: You may not always remember what a person said to you (or exactly what you did someplace) but you will always remember how that person (or place) made you feel.

Greystone is Jesus on this earth. Sincerity, courage, honesty, kindness and truth are everyone's daily goals.

First stop: Asheville, with Uncle Ern and Shirley! Make your own pizza followed by TCBY AND Krispie Kreme. No wonder we love our aunts and uncles!!! :-)

The anticipation was too much---her first nap in AGES!

"Here we are at camp again,

where each camper wears a grin.

Greystone, you're the best.

You belong to me!"

The Coons! Ella's last year eligible at August camp:-) Abby, an alumnae, was gracious to drop her off.

Here we go...

Most things at Greystone haven't changed one bit----but drop off surely has!

The whole Coon clan.

Odd to be on this side of the camera with Jenn around:-)

View from The Psalm 23 Hut.

Each bench has a phrase from the psalm sketched on it.

From Tentalow Lower 1 to Tentalow Upper 4.

From an upper bunk to a lower bunk!

Tetherball couldn't be closer!

Right outside of Ella Coon's cabin, for when they visit together:-)

We learned from our favorite lifeguard and coach at the pool this summer that there were at least 4-5 counselors from UVa. I told Margaret her mission was to track them down! And what do you know?? One of her counselors was named Margaret. The other, Janey, was from UVa!!! And Ella Coon's counselor is moving to C'ville after camp to start the Fellows Program at Trinity. Oh, God's handiwork!

She found her plaque from last year displayed in TL1.

Drop off was seamless and Margaret could not wait for me to go so she could start her day. As hard as that is on a mother, I wouldn't have it any other way.

So glad that she enjoyed ceramics this year, as I always did.

Tentalow Lip Sync! I bought her the $3 silver hat when I saw it this year because it lights up----what could be more perfect for camp nights!

Looks like Ella and Margaret saw each other most days---good thing as Margaret was under strict instruction to make sure she was wearing her rubber bands!

So glad she enjoyed ceramics this year:-)

Ainsley's Thomas (14) works in the kitchen----a GREAT position for the boys in the Greystone family.

Once my very own canoeing buddy, Ainsley figured this out just right....how to be a group leader at Junior Camp and then a counselor and Mom at August camp.

The Kitchen Staff!!! I know well how hard this crew works, but how tight and awesome they are! Thanks for keeping the tradition going!

Closing Vespers---too wet to go to Council Fire, they let the spirit of the Me-Me Bird story and their lights shine in the Pavilion.

Andrew still in Boston with Susan, just Matthew and I made the trek down 81. Not being able to read more than Bob books, with no siblings to entertain and no videos, my Little Man did remarkably well.

He LOVED the trains in the basement, which we hadn't even had time to get to last year with our tour of the Biltmore Estate!

A few barns and Noah's Ark looked all too familiar...

My dinner date:-)

"Don't worry, Uncle Ern. I got it!"

As I type this, I sit in Uncle Ern and Shirley's house in Asheville. They are in High Hampton with their crew and Matthew sleeps quietly in Charlie's bed. I am anxious to hug Margaret in a few short hours and see her bright smile, but I know her reaction (and mine) will be bittersweet. We will enjoy talking and sharing as her experiences morph into memories. But I will understand the hesitation that she is feeling. Mom is good and safe and comfortable. But so is camp. And camp is constant fun. And constant God. And constant Jesus. And with no effort. And that is NOT the real world. The "bubble" is a special place. An easy place. An everyone-is-ALL-FOR-JESUS place. A slice of Heaven on Earth. And I think she gets that now, even if she can't articulate it.

Oh, baby girl. I get it. I SOOOOO get it. That's why I was going to be on year round staff. But God had others plans for me. And I do believe that they included you---and your brothers and your Dad. But it was a windy road. Thus is the road to Heaven.

From Jimboy's last blog post:

"Your girls continue to delight and amaze us with their great attitudes! Don’t be surprised if they don’t appear really grown up to you tomorrow. We hope that you will note how genuinely thankful they are for all the little things you do for them. We hope they will be genuinely helpful in all the little tasks that make a house a home. They are wonderful girls and have made this a wonderful camp."

Here's part of the TU4 gang! Thank you, Marg and Janey, for EVERYTHING!

Hoping to see Janey in Charlottesville when she gets back to UVA from her semester in London!

Showing Matthew the world's most addictive see-saws.

Margaret took Riflery this year and loved it!

Now she'll understand my FULL card at home.

This is the bittersweet....not knowing when you might see this view again or feel this close to God again.

Planned something fun for them so Margaret could be excited about leaving. We headed to Pisgah National Forest through Flat Rock and explored Looking Glass Rock.

Looking Glass Falls

Apparently it was Dune Buggy Day!

The parade kept going, and going, and going, and going.

Then off to Sliding Rock, which is something else!

The trek to the line is FRIGID!

I went with them the first time. It is COLD. It is SHOCKING when you hit. The fast side is FAST. The entry is SURPRISING. And it is FUN!

After that, they were solo so I could video...Matthew experimented with the slow side, then realized that was TOO slow.

Matthew was much better suited for the faster middle ride.

Margaret had no idea that she squealed ALL the way down:-)

Matthew instructing/suggesting/demanding that Margaret go to the fast side!

When they were sufficiently chilled, we hit the Blue Ridge Parkway for Winston-Salem. Stunning views, as always.

Yep, and this is what camp will do to you, too.

With Andrew just returning from Boston (his 10-yr-old trip) with Susan, we decided he and Michael would meet us at the beach instead of Matthew and me being on the road for three days straight. So while not on the way, Winston wasn't too far out of the way and was well worth some time with family. Lalu and Big Rob treated us to a swim at the pool (with a high dive!), burgers for dinner, Krispie Kreme breakfast and rides on Big Orange, of course.

Matthew's video of Margaret