Tonight I sat outside in Kentucky on the back deck of my home for Summer 2016. In Kentucky. Not Connecticut. Not the place where I’ve spent every July since 2011 surrounded by campers who sing and cheer every lunch and dinner…while I block out all the singing and cheering that overwhelm my introverted-extrovert nature. Yes. After five summers watching hundreds of children grow year to year, I returned to my ole’ Kentucky home. And as I sat on the back deck that ironically resembled the same shade of wood as the arts and crafts deck at Kenwood Camp (sadly, with no sign of glitter anywhere) to write letters to my first session campers that will “graduate” from camp this year…I sat quietly in remembrance of all the laughter and tears shed over the last five summers in a place where four weeks fly by like a jet, and linger for a lifetime.

“To meet. To know. To love. To part.”

It is the story of my life.

I am only in Kentucky for a short time. My adventures to Texas started six years ago, led me to Connecticut for five summers, back to Texas, to Kentucky, to Ohio, and then this past fall to Massachusetts. I’m blessed, truly, having been able to meet, know, love and part from so many amazing people over the years. It doesn’t make the “to part” any easier though. Every decision to start something new is a decision to leave something and someone(s). Prayerfully considered, I decide. I go. And simultaneously, those I leave lead a life without me, and I without them.

This summer; however, I encountered feelings I usually don’t have. I didn’t want to leave the Northeast. I wasn’t really ready to return. I truly love (for the first time I might add) the part of the country that I spent the past full-time year of my life and the last five summers. It is a place where I believe I am actually quite destined to stay. Yet, I felt a “call” to return to Kentucky THIS summer. So, I did. Not without a little rebellion of course, attempting to make my own plans work for awhile. Naturally, my God is too good and too strong. His call was too loud. And I am thankful. Thankful for the overflowing blessings from the moment I traveled back to this atrocious southern/midwestern humidity (the only thing I am NOT enjoying).

I see the work of my Heavenly Father in absolutely every step. It is breathtaking. It is humbling. I am excited and expectantly waiting for each day for the first time in a long time. Not only for what will be revealed to me this summer, and how I can savor the additional time with those who already know & love me…I am expectantly waiting for the challenges and the continued (though intimidating, vulnerable, & exciting) process of “to meet – to know – to love…” when I return to Massachusetts six weeks from now…

Only that paradox we call time will tell when it is time to part…