Spring Cleaning...

Christel and I are cleaning out our garage this week. Actually she will probably do most of the work but I am helping.

Things that were once important now are in the way. Things stored to be used again are discarded because we never did. We look at this space as unusable except to store stuff. It trips us up every time we walk through it to take out the garbage or grab a tool.

"Throw it out!" is our cry.

Some will go to the Goodwill, some to the Used Book Store, some to the dumpster. As we open a box or a bag we stop to let the memories catch up before we let it go. Camping trips in the old tent and ripped back pack from the sixties and seventies. Trails hiked in old worn out boots. Choirs and friends with forgotten music. Old toys played with by our children and their long lost friends. Video games that are completely obsolete as were the victories that were forgotten when unplugged.

Stuff.

We are getting rid of some traditions as well. It is time. They don't hold any weight like they use to. It isn't who we are it is what we did. The Biasell culture is moving on. We do what we do because it is what needs to be done. We remember, but we need to keep events in our lives so we know. We are not dead, one day we will be, so there are new events and adventures to be had. Stuff will be accumulated and hopefully released quickly.

My friend, Sean, left the mountain yesterday. He and Julie are getting married in September and are doing some traveling to Thailand with his parents this summer. They are beginning a new life together. This season started at Calvin Crest has come to an end. I asked him how did he know it was time to leave and he said, "I didn't see myself at camp next year." That is when it is time to go. The season is over. A new season begins.

When he came to camp we dreamed together what can be done, now we remember what happened. We had a final lunch together at Pete's, we revisited some areas to clarify our feelings and intentions. New plans were briefly talked about but we didn't stay too long there because we knew we wouldn't be involved in them together. We did some good things together. Things that will be built on and improved by others. I am proud and honored by the time we spent together.

People cannot go into the garage and stored for later, they are dynamic and ever changing and need to be released. Expectations of what we will get from each other are transformed to accepting what will become of each other. Hope is not stored but lived out and used everyday. Relationships affect how we live now. We said we will see each other in September at the wedding, we will keep in touch... emails, cards, blogs, quick visits, ... weddings and funerals. Not a daily friendship, but a life long one... into eternity.

I have been a program director for going on 13 years and have had many relationships happen for brief times. At first it killed me, now each one brings me life for the season. We hire 80 people every summer (for ten weeks), some stay one summer other return for four, five, or more each time is important and many wonderful things experienced. I remember each one separately. One day they will all remember together.

Fare well, Sean.

I am blessed.