Thick Love

Words sometimes can be so lame.

I just can't begin to describe how wonderful our get-a-way weekend was for our family.

It was the perfect mix of rest and relaxation, activity and play.

And Kean LOVED being off house arrest and with "his people".

We didn't take pictures of many of the things we want to remember--

the long snow shoeing expeditions, restorative yoga, fitness classes,

crafts galore, scavenger hunts, raiding other families cabins to leave them

fun treats and more Christmas decorations, great food, and a Clydesdale drawn

sleigh ride through the trees (with a couple of old cowboys-- guiding the sleigh and one singing and playing a banjo) and on and on.

We all had our favorite moments.

The girls loved everything-- including the talent show on the last night.

Here's Reese doing a dance number with Jaime-- the counselor

assigned to our family. 

 That's Holland's hand and arm on the right-- feeding one of the volunteers for a skit.

Holland also brushed her teeth, applied make-up and did Kathy's hair.

I haven't seen Byron laugh that hard in years.

And poor Kathy-- I think she's still trying to get the mascara off her chin.

 On the final night, we all wrote our wishes, hopes or prayers on paper,

tied them to pine cones and threw them into a fire to send up to heaven.

 Since every family there had either lost a child to cancer or

was or is battling the disease... I'm guessing many of these

pine cones had messages similar to mine.

 One of the many highlights for me, was Parent's Night.

All the kids went to the lodge for a huge Christmas party and carnival.

Kean and a few other toddlers were taken upstairs for treats, a movie and lots of playing.

This, while all the parents met for what became a cry fest.

We were asked to share our story-- what brought us to Camp Rainbow Gold.

Byron and I were the second from the last couple-- which meant ten other

families went before us-- to tell their stories.  I started crying

when the very first couple talked about losing their son in September

and didn't stop even when it was my turn.

Once again, words fail.

But it was a beautiful, bonding, therapeutic experience.

These families were amazing.

What an honor it was to be with them at camp.

Amazing and oh, by the way, competitive.

We played all kinds of games-- and had the mother of all gingerbread house

building competitions.

I have to admit, we were quite intimidated by those who had finished

their houses early.

We decided to play homage to the sleigh ride we took through the woods.

With the help of two of our counselors-- Jaime and Brian-- take a look

at what we came up with. 

 Surprise, surprise-- we won second place!

 It was the little things that made it so special.

Moments, I could write a book about.

But here's one I'll share.

As I mentioned, Jaime was assigned to the Barker family.

She helped with the girls while Byron or I stayed with Kean for naps.

She checked on us, ate with us-- and oftentimes, wouldn't even let

us clear our plates!

On the first day, Jaime and Greer got talking about their two great food loves:

Bacon and Maple donuts.

After each meal, there is a tradition at Camp Rainbow Gold-- anyone

who wants to, stands up to "shine"-- meaning they get to wear a crazy hat,

take over the microphone and share a shine-- something they love about camp

or someone they want to spotlight.

Greer and Jaime started saying that they wanted to shine for Maple Bacon donuts--

and, well, lets just say it went viral.

Everyone by the end of the weekend was shining for Maple Bacon donuts.

 On our last morning, take a look at what showed up-- clear up in the mountains

of Sun Valley-- fresh Maple donuts with yummy bacon-- thanks to
Jaime and the camp organizer, Jason.

As I have already said, words fail.

Everything and I mean everything was thought of, done for

and made to make us feel loved and special.

As Jason Hosick-- the big guy in charge said--

we were where the air is thin but the love is thick!