Hearing From A Friend

I had said two days ago that I wanted to tell you about a package a received over the weekend. Typically at home I get one or two things addressed to me in a month. Most of these things that come to me are junk or bills. Every once in a while, however, I get something worth hanging on to.

On Saturday, there was a large manilla envelope waiting for me. It almost looked like it might have an acceptance letter in it from some university. Having not applied to any graduate schools, there was no way that could be it. The letter was from Pontotoc, Missisissippi. It was from Father Tim. Glenmary Camp's Father Tim.

I jumped a bit inside. If you have read this blog or talked to me recently you know exactly how much this camp meant and how much I was affected by the people there. To receive something from them is so exciting. Father Tim and I got to talk one on one several times during the week and at the end of camp he approached me about the future. He told me that he was impressed with how I handled a bunch of things that week and how I was with the kids. He told me of someone he knows in Texas who has become quite the name in play therapy for kids.

In the package was a magazine advertisement for the National Play Therapy conference in Kentucky listing all of the speakers and dates and times. Next were two other journals including the latest published articles regarding play therapy. Finally, a letter from Father Tim. He told me to register for the conference in Kentucky. He also reminded me about coming back to the camp next year and finished by asking me to pass along his regards to the rest of my group.

The magnitude of this gesture is so great that its hard to describe. I knew I had made a friend in Father Tim, and I felt his invitation and discussion about my future in psychology were sincere. But, to go to this extent was both unexpected and incredibly humbling. Even more than ever I am so thankful for getting the opportunity for this trip and so grateful that I had the time to get to know it's director. The inclusion of the last line about sending his regards to the rest of my team made me realize that this is not just a kind gesture he does for everyone who helps at his camp. This was something he did for me. I am still in disbelief and excited about the whole thing days later.

I hope to be able to go to the conference and eventually make it back to Mississippi. Father Tim is a big part of why that camp exists as it does and has the heart it does, leading people like myself to feel incredibly connected to it and everyone involved. He proved that his kindness to those who come to his camp does not stay at the camp but extends past it. He is a very inspiring person.