Father's Day

While we do not celebrate Father’s Day at camp (we reserve that occasion for homelife), we acknowledge the fact that Dads play an important role in family life that is often overlooked or minimized.

As a father, I can say that the lack of attention suits me just fine. We men are often happy to play a support role to our wives, allowing them to deal with the emotionally charged and confusing details of family life and we do the other stuff. That being said… dads rock! No matter what they “do” in the family, they play an important role in family life and with their daughters in particular. Today, we honor you!

I’m going to quote a letter from a camp dad that was written to me a couple of years ago. It remains my favorite parent letter and is an inspiration to me personally. I do this for two reasons… First, because I really love the fact that people still write “old school” letters. Second, I love the fact that a Dad wrote me (pretty unusual).

Dear Jimboy,

We’ve never met and honestly, I don’t know if we ever will. I learned a long time ago from a mentor, who has since passed, that when someone does something special or deserves thanks - you handwrite a note in a blue fountain pen. This is the first note I’ve ever written to a stranger in that fashion.

I read all blogs from this year’s June Session, I can’t say I cared that much in years past but this year was different. I don’t know if it was Covid or missing the girls a little more, but I was more engaged. I must be about as annoyed as a father can be leading up to camp, I live in a house with three Greystone Girls, and it consumes our house and life. They talk about it all year and look forward to the time, but the hubbub before they go is just too much at times. It gets to the point where sometimes the wonder and excitement leads to worry; I then wonder why is it worth it. But this year, I now know why… the blogs took me to a place that I can’t ever go and on most days, moved me to tears. I don’t know if it is your passion for the girls, your family business, the mystique of the Smokies, doing God’s work, or what, but I cried almost every day. I’ll tell you that I’m an emotional person but not a crier. I think it’s knowing that someone would make their life about making girls like mine feel special about who they are and what they can become.

I’d imagine you don’t get tired of being told thank you for that. So today is the final day of June Camp, and I read the blog that compelled me to writhe this letter. I personally want to say thank you from one father to another. I can’t wait for both of them to come home and tell me about their favorite meals or activities. Sometimes it’s fun to hear about the drama of camp too - I think that makes them better too.

With Deepest Regards,

PS. I often call you John Boy at home, and it drives all the girls, including their mother, nuts! I promise you I know what I’m doing.

Today we will enjoy our slower-paced, worship-focused Sunday schedule one last time. Tonight is the Counselor Talent Show (a favorite of all the girls), then it is nothing but BIG EPs till the end.

We have a big week ahead of us, a week that is going to fly by. The girls sense the finish line, and their excitement is building. It is going to be a great week, a great session, and a great year. Thank you for making it possible.