Red Letter Days: A Reminder to Make Time for What Matters

Some days at Camp Fellowship are special in ways that are hard to put into words,
and our Red Letter Days are always among them.

Red Letter Days are designed especially for cancer survivors, their caregivers, families, and friends. These days are an opportunity to step away from the busyness of everyday life, enjoy fellowship, celebrate healing, and find moments of wholeness, peace, and joy in the beauty of camp.

Our days together are filled with laughter, games, crafts, pontoon boat rides, and meaningful group discussions. There is something so special about bringing people together who understand the challenges of life's difficult seasons and creating space for them to simply enjoy being together. These days remind us that even in the midst of uncertainty, there is still so much beauty to experience, joy to share, and life to celebrate.

During a recent Red Letter Day, we shared a poem titled “Make Time the Gift It Is,” by S.C. Lourie of Butterflies and Pebbles. Its message was such a beautiful reminder of why days like these matter so much.

The poem encourages us to enter each day remembering that our peace, our health of mind, and our hearts mean more than getting everything else done. It reminds us that our smiles matter, that feeling rested matters, and that holding the hands of the people we love matters.

One of the lines that stood out to me was: “So pause lots, function at a pace that doesn’t pull you apart.”

What a powerful reminder for all of us.

We live in a world that constantly encourages us to do more, accomplish more, and keep moving. It is easy to become so focused on our responsibilities, our schedules, and the things we feel we must get done that we forget to slow down and enjoy the life happening right in front of us.

But what if we gave ourselves permission to pause?

What if we made more time for the people who make us smile, the activities that bring us joy, the conversations that fill our hearts, and the quiet moments that remind us of what truly matters?

For those navigating cancer, supporting a loved one through treatment, or walking alongside someone in a difficult season, these reminders can carry an especially meaningful message. Time together is precious. Laughter is a gift. Rest is important. And sometimes, the most meaningful thing we can do is simply be present with one another.

That is part of what makes Red Letter Days at Camp Fellowship so special. There is no pressure to accomplish something extraordinary or to have everything figured out. Instead, we make room for connection, friendship, encouragement, and joy. We enjoy the lake, create something with our hands, share stories, laugh together, and remind one another that we do not have to walk through life's challenges alone.

Working with our Red Letter Days is one of the most special parts of being at Camp Fellowship. It is a privilege to help create these moments and to witness the joy, kindness, and connection that grow when people are given the opportunity to slow down and simply be together.

As I reflect on the poem we shared, I hope its message serves as a reminder to each of us, no matter what season of life we find ourselves in.

Make time for the things that make you feel alive. Make time for the people you love. Make time to rest, laugh, create, and enjoy the little things. Do not wait until everything on your to-do list is finished to give yourself permission to enjoy the gift of today.

Make time the gift it is by giving it to what really matters to you.

At Camp Fellowship, we are grateful for every opportunity to share that gift with the people who walk through our gates.

— Gracen Price
Assistant Director, Camp Fellowship