Quality

I do not “crow” about how wonderful Greystone is that much… at least that is never my intention with these blogs. I write about what is going on at camp, what we are learning and what we are doing, but sometimes that simple goal touches on some dinstinctives that are all about quality. Solid gold kind of quality. The kind of quality that takes decades to develop and is carefully burnished for presentation one day in 365… crazy quality for a summer camp. See how I have started to crow? I just can’t help it, for I am more delighted and astonished than anyone.

This is the time of camp where quality reigns, it rises to the surface like the rich cream of the summer (made rich and wonderful by the people who have been pouring themselves into camp for so many weeks). The campers are old enough to make every event wonderful, and they do so with the adoring help of a literal army of counselors.

Heaven is described as “over the top” as well. A golden light that emanates from God Himself who resides in that “city on a hill”, reflecting on streets that are paved in gold, mansions prepared to perfection for every resident, and each resident is in perfect health and harmony with each other and with God. It is perfect, and never goes away or ends.

This “little heaven” unfortunately is not as perfect as it could be (thus every year gets better than the year before), but it is really good (if just for a few minutes). We do not live in perfect harmony, but we are good at asking and giving forgiveness. We do not have perfect health, but we do have really wonderful nurses and a drop dead beautiful camp doctor (if I say so myself… Go Dr. Margaret!). We do not have streets of gold, but we do have paths that are well laid and lined with pretty trees. Sometimes the elements come together and are worthy of a little crow!

The water show was just the kind of event to cause a crow… perfectly planned, choreographed, and executed by young women who care about their craft (water ballet is not easy, it takes commitment). The facility was spectacular… stadium seating for 700, an olympic sized pool of half a million gallons of crystal clear water 12 feet deep (water that deep is an amazing color of blue). The North Carolina mountains are stunning… with the setting sun transforming the clouds from fluffy white to multi colored hues of pink and blue, the air soft with warmth and humidity, a slight breeze keeping us comfortable. Canadian Geese flying low over head as they return to their nests on the side of the lake. Grey ponies grazing in the pasture behind the pool. It is stunningly “over the top” beautiful in every way. Wow…

Another “wow” moment will come this evening as we celebrate our “Derby Day” and Senior Play. We get dressed up in fancy camp clothes, wear fancy hats (think Kentucky Derby), munch on a spread of food that is nothing short of amazing (Prime Rib, Poached Salmon, Pasta Bar, Omlete Bar, Cheese Bar, 5 kinds of salads, and 3 kinds of desserts) served with the kind of flair that is expected at a fine catered event (linens, flowers, ice sculptures, silver, and crystal). We serve fancy punch in fancy glasses… and watch a lovely horse show while we feast and chat with our friends. We adjourn to the pavilion to enjoy a night at the theater (“Once Upon a Mattress”), the high point of our drama program and a show that always astonishes.

We will go to bed with a sense of satisfaction that only comes when given multiple waves of life’s “Wow” moments. Thus we enter the final week of camp with wonder and appreciation. Life is ABUNDANT and good in every way.

You can watch the watershow for a few more hours, our live feed will shift to the Senior Play later this afternoon. Feel free to watch here as your schedule allows. The play will begin a little later this year as it is not as long as in years past. The 45 minute show will begin around 7:45 if all goes according to plan.

Thanks again for indulging my excessive love of this place… for sharing our unreasonable affection for such a simple experience. You make it all possible and we are grateful.

Jimboy