Farewell
Closing Day always presents complex emotions in our community.
- There is an aching sadness deep in our hearts. Our camp friends have become so much a part of life, it is hard to imagine life without them by our side.
- There is the soaring pride of accomplishment… a whole world of experience that only took a month to accomplish.
- There is a void; hard to define… our world has gone strangely quiet after the constant hum of activity that surrounds us at camp. The lack those familiar sounds of bugels and bells, laughter and whispers, zoomba music and tennis coaching, bird song and distant thunder… the lack of these sounds makes us sad, even if we only notice it subconsciously.
- There is an inexpressible joy in reuniting with our families.
- There is an inexpressible need to reach out to our camp friends.
So many emotions… felt by camper, counselor, and director alike. It is wonderful. Life richly lived.
This is the farewell that was given to the campers last night. It brings tears to my eyes even now as I read it… for it is true. The emotion is not the same for those outside the bubble, but thank you for your interest in this place. It has been an honor to have a connection with your families. Consider this farewell as yours:
Ninety eight years ago a man stood to address the campers and counselors of that first summer at Greystone. In that poignant moment he said these words as his farewell to the girls who were about to go home:
Greystone is a magic word that will, for a long, long time, bring joy to the hearts of a certain group of girls who have spent one of the happiest summers of their lives here on a mountaintop. What makes that word dear to us? If we look deep into the heart of each girl… I think we would find one little word - Love.
I stand here tonight with the exact same thoughts as my Great Grandfather had so many years ago. Camp is a place of beauty that is experienced with joy and bound to our lives with love. A place that is not easily explained, but is well understood by you at this moment.
Your mothers and grandmothers shared this experience and one day your daughters and granddaughters will experience it as well. Camp is, and will always be, a taste of heaven… timeless and dependable as the rising sun. We wish this summer would never end, but as you know: moments of beauty are always fleeting. The light of this summer has been bright, but now it is time to move on.
Don’t be surprised if you miss camp next week… your eyes opening promptly at 7:30, as you wonder why the bugle has not blown. You might glance over your shoulder expecting to glimpse that friend who has been by your side all summer. You will reach out your hand when you see a beautiful sunset or try to catch her eye when you hear a funny joke. Her absence will hurt, but it will also warm your heart.
Life is better when shared with friends, and no friendships will surpass those made at camp! Camp friends seem to always know how to make you happy. They know how to dance and they know when to laugh. They comfort, inspire, and encourage. Camp friends enhance your life and you value those friendships keenly at this moment. Keep them safely.
Remain the girls you have shown yourself to be at camp this year and remember the simple lessons as you grow in the Four-Fold Way… Confidently shining the light of God’s love to a dark world.
We love you dearly and pray that the love of God will fill your hearts forever.
