Family

I have now been at Camp for almost two weeks, it went way too fast! The first week was staff training so we welcomed all of the new staff into our Camp family. It was a bunch of fun, bonding moments from Hope Female campout in a crazy thunderstorm to silly cheers and chants. Some of my friends from "real life" (which is not really real life but non-camp people think it is) decided to work Camp this summer, including my cousin (my actual cousin!). It has been super great to both have friends from outside Camp to experience my favorite place and people, and also have these friends who understand where I am coming from.
This week I have been reunited with my wonderful Chickadee ladies. Some I met last year and some this is their first time at camp which is so exciting! From our first hugs and story times they became part of my family. Camp has made me think differently about the term "Family". I know that I am part of the large family, body of Christ. And that I am part of a biologically family whom I love deeply. But I am also part of an ever growing family of people who I have met along the way who have affected me in a way that I will not forget. Some of these wonderful brothers and sisters I will meet and then keep up with forever. We have this click and then we support and care for each other but also laugh and do silly things. Some of my family members I only get to meet once along the life journey which makes me sad. It is truly remarkable that one moment or one conversation can be so memorable. I do not know if I am memorable to them or if I said something helpful or something that sticks forever but I, a little bit selfishly, hope so. 
The Chickadees all walk at different paces but we have been trying really hard this week to all walk in one group. We all hold hands and sing as we go. When one person lags behind we wait and we have started saying "No Chickadee left behind!" because it is more fun if we are all together. We all get to enjoy each others voices and thoughts. 

As Lilo  says "Ohana means family and family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten." If everyone in the world is potentially or really in a giant family then I just want to love each of them as I love my campers. In the same way, we can all enjoy each others various backgrounds, quirks, paces and thoughts. Everyone has the potential to affect me in a life long way or maybe, just maybe, I could affect them. I am so thankful for my current family and my future family that I will soon meet.

"If one member suffers, all suffers together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together."
~ 1 Corinthians 12:26