Fireflies of Hope

Fireflies of Hope 

for Camp Firefly 2024

 

Together, we spend sun-drenched days 

on the water, glide across a lake 

of sparkling blue, burst balloons 

in laughter, cool water against our skin:  

hands held, eyes met, tears shed. 

 

Together, we traverse trails 

of green, splash into the wide blue, 

beat drums of life, dance circles of spirit, 

sing silly songs and hymns of worship, 

breathe blessings of nature, of time, of each other. 

 

Together, we speak of how isolation and illness, 

grief and sorrow touches us — recount  

our stories, share our children’s hearts 

of hope and resilience, how we hold on, 

how we rise and break through to joy. 

 

Together, we see smiles abound 

on our children’s faces, their bodies exuberant 

in delight: radiant, alive. We awake 

to wonder in our vibrant, blooming world, 

to beauty in our families, to bounty in new friends.

 

Together, we feel the gift of each moment, our hearts, 

our hands, the winds moving through us 

as spirits of breath and refreshment. We exhale

our fears, make space for what nourishes us,

our shared grief moved from heartache to healing.

 

Together, our newfound wings take flight 

as we soar into summer’s skies, encouraging each other

towards the light, towards tomorrow

bright fireflies of hope through darkness 

stretching to meet a new dawn. 

Copyright @Stacie Eirich July 12, 2024

This June, St. Jude called us with surprising news: Sadie was selected for Camp Firefly! This is a camp we had heard was amazing, but one we never expected to attend. Founded by actors Kirk & Chelsea Cameron, it’s a week-long, all expenses paid trip for six families to the beautiful Pine Mountains of Georgia. The Camerons have been running Camp Firefly for over 30 years, with over 200 families in attendance.

Only three days after we got the call, we packed up and boarded a plane to Georgia with little details and a whole lot of faith that this was an experience we couldn’t miss!

Once on the ground and rolling on a charter bus into the countryside, we were met with open arms by Kirk, Chelsea, their family and staff of close friends. They showed us their hearts and extended their hands from that first moment, and continued to offer ways to connect and celebrate together throughout the week.

We swam, biked, enjoyed family-style meals by the lake, went tubing and kayaking. We sang, danced, learned about raptors and roasted marshmallows. The Mamas were pampered at the spa, the Dads played nine holes, we all got up close and personal with buffalo on a safari and witnessed a butterfly release.

Father’s Day was celebrated with cake and awesome hula dancing by the Dads, and we kicked up our heels in an old-fashioned, country hootenanny!

In the moments between all these amazing activities, which brought on smiles and laughs and tears of joy — were times of quiet, of peace and rest, of feeling incredible gratitude and wonder. Gratitude for being given this gift of our children, this gift of time and experiences with our families, this gift of new friendships. Wonder at how much beauty and hope there is in being surrounded by people whose hearts and minds and hands are open. Wonder at how we persevered to be at this moment together, on the receiving end of so much love.

With so many new experiences, so much sharing and joyfulness happening so quickly — it isn’t a wonder that there were moments we felt overwhelmed. Even in these moments, our new friends were quick to come to our side with encouragement, or allow us time to simply breathe and be. In both recreation and rest, we were given care and compassion during our stay at Camp Firefly.

It is this incredible care and compassion, along with a sense of community — that we will remember most from our week in the Pine Mountains of Georgia with six other St. Jude families, the Cameron family and their staff. This, and the amazing stories of how each family is facing and fighting pediatric cancer together — while embracing life and all its possibilities to the fullest.

Thank you for reading, and for stopping by my blog today! Please consider making a donation to Camp Firefly to help the Camerons continue to bless families whose children are fighting pediatric cancer, terminal and critical illnesses. Follow the link below:

https://www.campfirefly.com/donate

In hope,

Stacie

The video below features all six Camp Firefly 2024 families, the Camerons & the Camp Firefly staff. Running time is 32 minutes and most photos are from photographer Robert Legg. Put on a pot of coffee or pour some lemonade on a lazy day & enjoy! ☀️❤️🦋

*All photography in this post by Robert Legg, June 2024.

*Post Script* My child is a patient at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. If you’d like to follow our journey to a cure, visit:

https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/hopeforsadie