Falling from Grace

The last couple of years I've kept in contact with a few of my favorite campers.  One of my fav's, Grace, started out with me two summers ago as an awkward, tall, bushy haired girl and has now turned into a beautiful young woman.  This whole time we've kept in contact sending back letters/friendship bracelets.  We've been there for each other for the heartaches, battles, and it has turned into a genuine friendship that I never expected.  Today I had to break it to her that I have to be out in South Dakota the week that she returns for her last experience with Camp T.

She didn't take it lightly and my heart broke a little as I told her.  Miss Grace is like the little sister that I never had.  I looked forward to her brightly colored letters at home and her persistent emails over the summer.  Part of me would always be at camp when Grace was there.  I'll always remember the day we sat on the hill two summers ago as she told me that she was grateful I was her swimming buddy for Lake time.  I'll always remember when we cried together during closing campfire Summer 2009 because we knew nothing would quite be as special.  I'll always remember when I dropped her (accidently) during our trust exercise one Thursday night.  I'll always remember when her counselors last summer found it difficult to get to know her because she told them that she'd rather be in my cabin.  This girl is special.  She brings a unique sense of self to each person that she reaches out to.  I'll miss her dearly but to know that I've made a deep impact on a child like her makes my summers at Camp worth going back year after year.

This is what she wrote to me today:

abby-
camp t has been one of my favorite places in the world since i went there my first year. but you are the person who kept it one of my favorites. you are my favorite counselor ever because you're more than just a counselor-you're my friend. you take care of me like no one else, and love me for who i am. i will miss you so much thi...s summer, and even though it's my last, i will never forget you and me walking from the OC to the dining hall arm in arm, crying at closing campfire, and cheering each other up throughout our sicknesses and sadness. i love you so much and will write you all the time. hopefully at some point i can come visit, although that will be a hard sell to the parents. but i'll try! love you, grace

I can't wait to see her as a counselor in a few short years :)