A letter of reflection - 29 years of CCC

I counted 89 in our family picture this year!  The siblings were all there... all 10 of the original 11, and we are seated on both sides of my parents!  Our first camp was 29 years ago and my sister, Mary, was there with cancer.  The next year we visited her grave!  Pat wanted so badly to send a letter to our family so, we put this together and I will use it here today:

                                                Reflections of Cross Christmas Camp 2014

How quickly the 2014 CCC weekend is behind us! Looking back at the wonderful time we shared... we wanted to reflect on the beauty of this tradition our parents began 29 years ago. If we are right in our calculations – it will be the 30^th Anniversary of Cross Christmas Camp/Come, Christ Jesus, Come, next year! We are thinking that we need to celebrate BIG next year! How can it be any better? It is hard to imagine, but we are sure that with a year to ponder it will the BEST!

We have discovered that the reason CCC works so well is because we are all there for the amount of time that we are comfortable with! As “die hards,” those that want to be there every minute they can from Friday night to Sunday noon, we know that the quieter times are precious to us for visiting and relaxing with our family. Pat and I realize that this is truly our Christmas! We come together at CCC! It had been a year since Joe and family had been together with a good number of us, so you can only imagine how important being there for the whole time is for us! It has also shown us the behind the scenes work that a small group does to make this all possible! To realize that that entire huge room is empty Friday afternoon, and all those tables, chairs and décor are in place to welcome us when we arrive! Then the reverse on Sunday cleanup! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to the Dan Cross family and all their little elves!

We just wanted to reflect on great moments for us; to eat 4 meals together is amazing at the chances to visit, and hold babies, and getting to know the 4 generations that are there throughout the weekend. For us – at our distance from day to day life with family planted down here on the farm- to get to know great Aunts and Uncles and they in return get to visit with our kids and grandkids. Our little newborns are appreciated as they get handed around from waiting arm to waiting arm! We look at the traditions within this Tradition! Cookies, crafts, Santa's lap and gifts from mom and dad for ALL the grandkids and great-grands that must total about 70+ now( As our 2 year old Rose said; “Santa give candy!” with a huge smile and a light in her eyes), getting dressed up for mass, Santa and family pictures, mass at 4p for our family at St Joseph's in Amery and some others including mom and dad, Carol's wonderful poem year after year(we were wiping some tears this year at how touching and true it was), Pat and I try to get some time with our Godchildren to catch up on their year, now the new dance with finger lights, Mafia and the games that we share, Dan, Bruce and the musicians, Paula leading the carolling, prayers to baby Jesus for the food and for a job, rosary time, family picture this year we had 89 of the 101 in it, now with Camp Wapo families come together to make meals together, we love our new location and are thankful for Sam and Dan for getting us here!

There is just so much we are grateful for and wanted to let the Crosses know that we had another great year together! Thank you to one and all for coming to share with us! We loved every minute of our time together, and see that this will definitely continue on no matter what! Looking back over the last 29 years with snowstorms, different locations, always growing with new members adding that LIFE which is at the heart of the Crosses- now 101 strong and soon to welcome 2 new members! The first year was Mary's cancer, and the following year we visited her grave – talk about starting a deeply powerful place for our family. That is what binds us together so powerfully and forever – sharing the good and the hard/Cross! Our family name is so true for our lives together – embracing the Cross we find LIFE/LOVE/LIGHT! We are forever blessed and grateful for our CROSS FAMILY! Jesus, hold our family close to your heart burning with LOVE for them. Jesus, we trust in YOU. Bless-bless, Pat and Barb and family – now 22 strong!

 Mary and Therese and Berna see each other for the first time!

Birthday procession thanks to Community of the Lamb

 Morning prayer and rosary with little ones too!

 The boys and grandpa - we now have 8 grandsons and 4 granddaughters!

 The look of LOVE and delight to hold so much LIFE!

 Dominic and Luke have switched!

 Marty's cookie tradition!

Sweet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Candles this year!

 Great Uncle Steve helping Bernadette with her ornament.

 Amy comes for the first time!

 My brother Dan just wrote that this could actually be CCC 32 next year - it turns out I was a year off and counting the first year - would make the camp #32 next year!  Well, that still calls for a celebration, right?

 The piano and the superman capes!

 Maria and family at mass at St Joseph's

 My dad showing Amy his Christmas tie at mass

 My parents arrive to the arms of their huge loving family!

My dad leading grace starting with Psalm 100

All Lands Summoned to Praise God

A Psalm of thanksgiving.

1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.

2 Worship the Lord with gladness;

come into his presence with singing.

3 Know that the Lord is God.

It is he that made us, and we are his;a

we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,

and his courts with praise.

Give thanks to him, bless his name.

5 For the Lord is good;

his steadfast love endures forever,

and his faithfulness to all generations.

 So special to have my Deacon dad there to lead the family in prayer and teach us how to LOVE Jesus and His Bride, The Church!

 Sharing a meal with my parents - the two Nancys sharing some time!

 Another one of the Family! 

 Make a Joyful Noise - the new Dance with finger LIGHTS!

 Some moves!

 Can't get over the 3 grandsons together at last!

 Funny Sunday morning with the kids - you never know what to expect!

Simon with a special gift from years ago from Aunt chach!

 

Pat and I are heading over to his mom's for a while.  It will be a quiet Christmas for us.  We are going to mass at 4p with Ruth and family, and then I work at the NH tomorrow.  Lord, bless all families at Christmas and may you come more and more into our hearts, minds and souls.  Jesus, we trust in YOU.  Bless-bless, Barb