Giving Thanks

Greetings from Camp Runoia! It’s hard to believe that the summer has passed, fall is on its way out and winter will be upon us before we know it.  As we all prepare this week for Thanksgiving, I am inspired by the holiday and what it is really all about.  It is so easy to get wrapped up in the chaos of life, particularly this time of year with all of the material things which are constantly being forced upon us.  Sometimes we forget about the things in life that really matter.  Family, friendship, and community are of paramount importance and should be recognized and celebrated.  The neat thing about sleepaway summer camp is that we are asked to leave most of our material possessions at home and focus on the here and now.  We ask our campers to invest in the community in which they are living and to focus on making friends, trying new things and experiences, all of which result in personal growth.  I saw this poem which inspired me to write this blog.

 

 

 

Best Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is here, so our minds have turned
To what time has taught us, to what we’ve learned:
We often focus all our thought
On shiny things we’ve shopped and bought.
We take our pleasure in material things,
Forgetting the pleasure that friendship brings.
If a lot of our stuff just vanished today,
We’d see the foundation of each happy day
Is special relationships, constant and true,
And that’s when our thoughts go directly to you.
We wish you a Thanksgiving you’ll never forget,
Full of love and joy—your best one yet!

By Joanna Fuchs