Week 2: Reflections from Family and Friends Week at Glory Ridge
Week 2 at Glory Ridge was Family and Friends Week. This week brought together a diverse and vibrant group of 14 participants in addition to our dedicated summer staff. Our community was enriched by cadets from the Citadel, a joyful family with young children from Forsyth, GA, Deb’s own family, and dear friends from both near and far.
The heart of our week was marked by meaningful service and deep companionship. A profound transformation unfolded for our neighbor Anne, whose initial despair and weariness gradually melted away into renewed hope and joy. As we worked alongside her, Anne found herself laughing again, envisioning a flourishing garden and a restored home. Her courageous decision to surrender some of her beloved dogs to the Madison County Animal Shelter for better homes touched us deeply, illustrating the strength that can accompany love and selflessness.
Much of our week was spent serving at the animal shelter, where meaningful work blended seamlessly with moments of joy. We established new kennels, organized supplies, and moved 20 tons of gravel to create comfortable outdoor spaces for the dogs. The shelter director, Pia, expressed heartfelt gratitude and amazement at the tangible progress made in just three days. Walking the shelter dogs through peaceful woodland trails became a rewarding daily ritual, bringing joy to both volunteers and animals alike.
Back at Glory Ridge, our time together was filled with laughter and simple pleasures. We climbed the mulberry tree behind the worship pavilion, shaking the branches until berries showered down—some neatly caught in a bedsheet, others playfully pelting us. Together, we turned our berry harvest into delicious homemade jam, savoring the fruits of teamwork and laughter.
A Slip n’ Slide was set up during Friends & Family Week.
Evenings brought magical moments under the stars, singing and worshipping as we connected more deeply with each other and the wonder of God’s creation. Shared meals became celebrations, from a lively hibachi night to an unforgettable wild-food feast featuring elk, veal, and venison, highlighted by Deb’s homemade buttermilk syrup drizzled over pancakes.
Amid these activities, small gestures brightened our days—Jack’s daily hot chocolate treats for younger campers, playful rounds of the board game Fuzzy Logic, peaceful swims in the Laurel River, and the quiet joy of painting collected rocks. Young Bruce eagerly joined camp projects, clearing trails and assisting with repairs, bringing youthful enthusiasm and energy to every task.
We marveled at the abundant wildlife encounters—baby rabbits, an indigo bunting, deer and turkeys with their young, and even a coyote—gentle reminders of the beauty and tranquility surrounding us.
The week was not without challenges, including the discomfort of a late-night arrival when a couple discovered their tent lacked poles and their air mattress deflated. Good humor and quick solutions turned this into a memorable story rather than a misfortune. We also supported a young camper who endured multiple bee stings, reinforcing our commitment to caring for one another through all of life's moments.
Ultimately, Week 2 at Glory Ridge was a gentle reflection of how service, community, and friendship can deeply enrich our lives. In quiet acts of love, joyful laughter, and even through moments of difficulty, we were reminded once again that true transformation emerges when hearts unite in purpose and compassion.
By Deb Shoemake