A daily record of gratitude; from quilting to photography to a mix of technology, books, movies and the musings of life!

Welcome to my Blog of my daily gratitude and photo of the day!

Since January 1, 2012, my goal is to write a daily sentence or two (or paragraph or two) about gratitude of the day and to include one photo (at least) that I took that day (but will add others from time to time). It has definitely been a challenge most days throughout the past eight years, and welcomed the challenge again this year - 2020 - Covid and all. I hope you will continue the ride with me!

Tuesday, August 13, 2019

Visitor's Night at Special Love's Camp Fantastic!

What a treat it was to attend visitor's night at Camp Fantastic in Front Royal, Virginia, tonight. One-hundred campers strong with counselors and medical staff attired for "Bonker's Day." The theme changes each day at this year's camp, and it's nothing for campers or staff to break out in song and dance to really have a good time with each other.

Truly, each camper has their own story of their cancer experience, but for one week each year (third week in August), they are like any other kid going to camp. It is poignant and inspirational all at the same time. It's difficult to describe, but trust me, it's one of the greatest gifts to take a glimpse at each kid thriving and having the best week of their life at Camp Fantastic.

A double treat today was going out to camp and sharing this experience with three folks that have never experienced anything like this; one being my husband's twin brother, Don, and Karen and Mike Serafini of Crofton, Maryland. I may be going out on a limb here, but I venture to say, it was the highlight of their month.

In addition to the kids from a tri-state area (and beyond), the highly trained medical staff from many hospitals around the area, and country, embark in Front Royal each year to serve even the sickest children with cancer to ensure and enable them to partake in all the fun and craziness of "going away to a sleepaway camp." Some may need their IV chemo or a blood transfusion, but these dedicated medical personnel do what's necessary to give what they need to those kids and hurry them back to their activities right quick. Everyone there understands the ups and downs of cancer, and it's business as usual each hour of the day in keeping even the sickest kids happy and hopefully having fun! Now that is something to be truly grateful for!

BSoleille!

Terri
Below: L-R: Don Tomoff, Mike and Karen Serafini, me, Ryan Tomoff (counselor) and Bill Tomoff







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