It was only a couple of years ago that my oldest daughter, MacKenzie, said that she didn't want to go back to Chanco...  I am not often at a loss for words, but I truly didn't know what to say.  The gift that was always supposed to be a natural part of her upbringing wouldn't be there if she didn't experience Chanco, but...  she had a point, and I couldn't make her go.  If I forced her, it could mean ruining the possibility of any future for Chanco in her life.  All I could do was wait and see what the future would hold.

Sometime in the spring of 2010, two years after her decision not to return to Chanco, I heard the words I thought might never come: She said she was ready to try again...  It wasn't passionate.  It wasn't a promise.  But it was hopeful.  And my heart soared.

Coincidentally, around the same time, my 96-year-old grandmother decided that MacKenzie "should" be going to Chanco.  She actually called me on the phone to deliver this decree in spite of the fact that she can't hear a thing - and she offered to send her!  I am forever in her debt for many reasons.  Perhaps this tops the list now...

MacKenzie and I planned and packed everything she needed, and I brought her to camp for 2nd Session.  We had a great ride to Surry - just the two of us, which is a rare treat.  She was "ready," but a little bit nervous.  She didn't recognize a soul in her campsite when we got there, and her friend from home wouldn't be able to get there until the second day of camp.  As much as I wanted to hang around and see how things went, I knew the last thing she needed was her mother lingering around talking about the "old days" at Chanco.  I reluctantly drove off, wishing I could stick around for a while.  Everything looked so much like it always had, yet there were so many unfamiliar faces...  Maybe I was waiting for the ghosts to settle...

I knew for sure that things were going well for her when I didn't get a letter by the beginning of the second week.  Sure, a part of me was dying to hear from her, but I also knew that not hearing from her meant that she was too busy to take the time to write down all that was happening.  I religiously scanned the photos on the Chanco website and saw that she was laughing and dancing and that she looked happy and healthy.  When I finally did get a letter, it confirmed what I had suspected: she was having the time of her life! 

On closing day, I met as many of her friends as she could find.  I also saw more familiar faces that I had missed on opening day - I knew they had to have been there somewhere! :)  The glow was unmistakable - she was hooked on Chanco.  I must have heard every single story about every single person at camp on the drive home that day - except for the times when she actually nodded off!  It was everything I could have hoped for and more.  She had rediscovered Chanco and let it back in! 

I offer a sincere thank you from the bottom of my heart to the staff - especially to Jim Sitzler - for returning the Spirit to MacKenzie.  I know a part of her really needed to feel Chanco's comforting embrace again, but I can also see that another part of her needs Chanco to help her build a future.  I am confident that she will be a better person with Chanco running freely in her veins.  What a wonderful experience this summer was for her!  Many, many thanks.   

I am happy to say that the countdown to next summer at Chanco has begun...  And by then, Mary Cameron will be old enough for 1st session!!!!!!  :)