Couldn’t We Just Stay Here!
Couldn’t We Just Stay Here!
We worked hard today finishing the walls in preparation for painting, painting the ceiling, removing and installing flooring, and cleaning up a library. There remains so much to do that we’ve decided to only take off part of tomorrow to make sure we get our projects done. Yet after our evening showers, I heard comments like, “This was the best part of our trip! Next year let’s take a whole month to work here. I am going to cry when we leave!”
What causes people to react so deeply in this way? The food is terrific but the work is challenging which sounds like a push to me. The location of the camp is nice but certainly not like St Remy, Paris, gites in the Dordogne overlooking castles, Italy’s northern coast, or a barge trip in England.
It’s all about the people. It’s about the camaraderie of our group doing meaningful work for a meaningful organization. This meaning has transformed us into a group of teen’s laughing outside our dorm rooms about the minor twists and turns of the day. In many ways we’ve gone beyond being friends to being like a family.
I believe the overriding bond that has fused this connection is the warmth, concern, and love the folks at L’Eau Vive have bestowed upon us. Today at lunch they were so concerned that we have a fantastic day off that they offered their only camp vehicle (a mini van) for our use. Then, in a moving ceremony they provided each of us with several wonderful gifts to keep us close to them when we return home.
Perhaps the most touching moment was when Hubert the handyman, who probably earns little to nothing here, provided a top quality bottle of Rhone wine for all of us and some smoked trout. This was especially poignant for Dave, who he has really bonded with. Trust me, this was a very special moment.
Tonight as I sign off, Ian and his brother-in-law are working at getting the “TV” part of station WCTV functional. Dave and Steve will get the “WC” (toilette) part going tomorrow. Think of us as we troop down to our building singing, “Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It’s Off To Work We Go…”
Picture Set 1
Picture Set 2
posted by Bob and Gayle @ 7:02 AM
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