“Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for mankind.” Psalm 107:31
Cousins Camp 2016 (officially the 9th Pearson Cousins Camp) ended yesterday afternoon when the last family carload drove out of the driveway. 10 eager campers (a.k.a. Pearson grandchildren who are at least 4 years old and potty-trained) arrived before noon last Saturday. Then about 11 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day the parents arrived with side dishes and desserts. We enjoyed a last few hours together sharing our tales, and then they all headed back to Somerville, AL, Franklin, TN, and Rome, GA. The house had a very, shall we say, “lived-in look” about it, but it was suddenly much quieter than it had been in 6 days.
Steve and I took awhile to reflect and revisit our favorite moments from the time we’d just spent with those amazing children. Oh yes, we’re tired, but this is a treasured event for us each year. We will continue as long as we possibly can or until the kids are too old to want to come — a thought that makes us incredibly sad. We will admit to a sense of relief when the children are safely delivered back to their parents, but there is also a feeling of extreme gratitude to God for blessing our time and keeping all of us safe and healthy.
On a Mystery Trip to Tom’s Wall in Florence – the longest unmortared wall in the United States.
We had a slightly-mashed finger at the bowling alley, a couple of bumped heads during the Laundry Ceremony, 2 lost teeth, and 3 with allergy-type coughs, but those issues were very minor.
We rented a 15-passenger van for the week and drove several hundred miles back and forth to Decatur, Florence, Athens and Huntsville without an accident — something that we are SO thankful for.
We shared 16 meals together. Not everyone liked everything they were served, but no one starved, no one choked, and no one threw up. Hallelujah!
The 16-year-old in the group hung in there with all of the younger ones. She’s the one they all look up to. It’s amazing that she keeps such a positive attitude.
MOST of the activities planned were approved by the campers with one notable exception that is sure to become part of the Cousins Camp lore in years ahead.
We laughed A LOT.
Steve and I LOVE having these days to listen, to watch and to teach. We have been richly blessed with these young people — the children of our children.
Thanks be to God.
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