In the Dark Crying but Not Alone
- 20 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Written by: Brando Reyna
In the Dark Crying but Not Alone – The Story of Chameleons Journey
This past fall, I found myself sitting in a cold amphitheater at Camp Thunderbird watching young children walk up to a fire pit and announce into the microphone
… my dad
…my mom
…my brother and my momma
For some of the adults present, the sight was too much, and they had to excuse themselves. These children were paying homage to those closest to them, who won’t be seen in this lifetime ever again.
For the last 26 years, a children’s grief camp has taken place at Camp Thunderbird on Lake Wylie, SC. The kids find peers going through similar issues and not only learn coping techniques (music therapy, expressive arts, peer support) but have fun and connect with each other through archery, ropes courses, and general tomfoolery (something I perfected in my youth).
It’s one of the most amazing experiences you can do to give back. And it is only possible through those who give back. The local colleges (Davidson & Belmont Abbey), Invisible Paw Prints, Giving with Grace Foundation and regular people who are willing to give up a weekend to hold someone’s hand.
If you’ve ever felt that desire to give, but wanted to make sure your time, talent, or treasure were going as far as possible, this is one of those organizations that will do you right.
Volunteer as a counselor. The heart you help heal may just be your own.
To learn more about Chameleon’s Journey Camp or VIA Health Partners, visit www.chameleonsjourney.org or www.viahp.org.
To learn more about Volunteering with VIA Health Partners, visit us at:
About VIA Health Partners
VIA Health Partners began as Hospice at Charlotte, the state’s first hospice, in 1978 and then operated under the name Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region (HPCCR) for decades before its name change to VIA Health Partners in 2023. Today VIA Health Partners serves 3,500 patients each day for hospice and palliative care services. Our service area encompasses 14 counties in North Carolina - Burke, Catawba, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Polk, Rutherford, Stanly, and Union. Its service area in South Carolina includes Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Chester, Chesterfield, Fairfield, Greenville, Greenwood, Kershaw, Lancaster, Laurens, Newberry, Oconee, Pickens, Saluda, Spartanburg, Union, and York counties.
