I've been feeling rather nostalgic lately. Like it's time to re-evaluate, figure out what's really important and clean out all the "stuff" in life that doesn't really matter. I think often we get so caught up in petty problems that it's hard to see clearly and take stock and focus on what really is good in life. Is there anything sweeter that a tiny whisper in the night "Mama, can I sleep in your bed tonight?" Perhaps a nine year old boy who gets his hockey gear ready for the season in July, or a six year old who confesses that he loves music and his guitar teacher "the bestest of all his friends"
I just read a book where a mother whose two year old daughter was just diagnosed with cancer and she said "I had only known her for two years. But if you took every memory, every moment and stretched them end to end, they'd reach forever"
What are the moments we remember as we get older? What are the moments our children will remember? Perhaps an impromptu camping trip with a grandfather, or being allowed to pack up a couple rootbeers and head over to play music with a favorite friend until way past bedtime. Who knows where we'll be in six months, or a year or even a couple days? I think that it's our memories of the great moments in life that help carry us through the tough ones.
My intentions for this year's haunt are exactly that. To make some great memories with family and friends. And working hard while having fun and doing something great for families in crisis. I recently attended a fundraiser for someone in our town who became critically ill after childbirth and was hospitalized in Vancouver. One of her friends stood up and spoke about how overwhelmed they were by the crowd turnout and that Campbell River was a community who would "lift her up and bring her home again" I was struck by the words, because I've seen it time and time again with my work for Cameryn's Cause. This is a great community, one where we come together and support each other. I see it at every single Cameryn's Cause event. Those are some of my best memories. It warms my heart to think of all of you who come out and volunteer, or donate or come down and support the haunt. I've seen how it makes a difference to families in our community. If one of the by-products of it all is that our kids get to learn that helping others can come in the form or great fun, then that's not such a bad thing either.
I thank each and every one of you who have already jumped on board to help out this year. It seems a little crazy to be starting Halloween preparations in July, but if you know me, you know that's how it is every year around here. I look forward to your ideas, your encouragement and your excitement when it all starts to come together. Most of all I look forward to making some wonderful memories with you all.
P.S. Keep in touch with your ideas, and if you haven't done so, sign up to volunteer on the volunteer page so you can have your pick of jobs!
