May The Road Rise To Meet You
Nick started over to me my breathing increased as Brandi came up and Joe grabbed Nick shaking his head at him Nick looked pissed and tried to shake him off as Brandi and I hugged laughing as we took a quick check around to count our girls and settled down on the logs .Nazira met up with Tanya and Cassie who were all checking out boys Ella was talking to Payton and Alicia and Becky were sharing a water and looking for old friends..no sign of Joelynn and I was strangely disappointed .I knew the girl was hurting and I wanted to help but I could do without the hurting myself. Everyone was in good spirits laughing and joking as the music suddenly stopped I looked up to see that Mac had taken the stage she was dressed in a traditional Irish Dance Dress it was gorgeous stopping just above her knees it was black with a full skirt that had purple and yellow Celtic crosses entwined with patches of white the crosses went all the way up to her neck down her sleeves she had on the traditional hard shoes her hair was up in full ringlets and she was in traditional makeup. As she stepped up everyone found their seats and a hush fell over all of us night had quickly descended and with it came a soft wind. She cleared her throat and began
first off I wanted to thank everyone who came out to help
this summer you are all so incredible to give up your time
I know all of you juggled your lives to be
able to make it here and so on behalf of myself
and the rest of No Illusions a huge Thank you
and of course I'm sure all these amazing talented young people who
have the opportunity to work with you also would like to say..
She let it out in the open and they took the chance to yell and hoot I grinned it was moments like this that made the difference..when everyone had settled she re started
As many of you may of guessed I'm Irish
no way I thought you liked to dress like a freak! [some kid]
ha ha Jimmy I'll remember that one! [Mac]
hey as long as you remember me baby!
He pumped up his fist cheering the guys pounded his back
hey never said there was anything wrong with being a little
freaky it's okay by me baby! I like freaky !
More howls and groans filled the air Mac took it in all good naturally laughing and joking till he had sat down grinning.
Okay now that that is out of our system
anyone else?
She waited a few more gave shout outs and laughed but it settled quickly
Well for those who don't know
My name is Mackenzie Shannan
I'm 16 and I am the founder creator and co-owner of
Camp N' ill
I wanted a place where kids can learn
to do what they love and use it in their
futures but not just any kid could come here
only kids who had truly fought to get there kids like all of
you who have known suffering and pain isolation
who have fought for not just the chance to live out their
dreams but to live another day each and every day always
wondering
"will I live to see tomorrow?"
will I live to see my dreams fulfilled?
Is it worth it?
All this sweat and hard work for a future I might not have?
All of you have answered yes
or you wouldn't be here
through whatever adversities you were given you never gave up
and for that I applaud you but I'm also here to say
that don't think that cause you made this far that you've made it
cause you ain't the hard work is only just about to began
starting tomorrow you will be tested like you've never been tested
before to the
breaking point sweat tears blood it'll own you
it's up to u if it controls you or if u control it
dance ,music, acting work shops
it's all expected of you I don't expect
experts and I don't want experts
that's why we have our staff I want hard work I want dedication
but I want y'all to have fun!
Make friends expand your horizons
and make memories cause through out all of this
I want you to be able to take a break from your daily worries
of your diseases and fears
but remember to take care of yourselves
cause as performers we
strive for perfection at all cost but for
all of you I'm sure you all are aware
that there are some costs that are just to high
Every year we start off camp in the same way
the Irish are strong on traditions
and I wanted to keep that spirit in the seasons of camp
like us St. Patrick had to over come struggles
he was born in either Wales or Scotland it has never been known for sure which
when he was about 15 or 16 he was captured
and enslaved by Irish chieftains
he spent years tending to sheep's and swine during
that time he turned his life over to god
legend has it he escaped captivity after a dream
in which god instructed him to
travel to the Irish coast where he found a
ship and was reunited with his family.
He studied for years to become a priest so he could help others
he claims in dreams the voice
of the Irish people called to him
calling out
" crying to thee, come hither and
come walk with us once more"
it was then he began a impossible mission to travel all
through out Ireland to baptizing and perching
ordaining pretests and minsters he angered many
churches and earned many threats to his life
for he was disrupting the ways of their work
but he never quit many today still
believe he is the reason most of Ireland is catholic
there also a legend he drove all the snacks
out of the land..so here today we honor him
his dedication and the spirit of the land
Ireland is set on some of the most amazing greenery you will ever see [Zoe]
we bring this to you in good spirits for the hope of a brighter longer lasting tomorrow
She dropped a handful of pure Irish Turf Peat into the huge pile of bogs imported from Ireland they were thicker then the wood we use , Rian and Alexia came out dressed as leprechauns holding torches
they stood by Mac
as in tradition we ask all thee campers who are
returning to step up with the bag of turf
please make single file lines counselors will guide you
Quietly the kids stood and did as Mac had said some kids I saw had more then one bag I wondered but didn't want to break the silence once the lines were assembled Zoe took over speaking. I saw Mac sit on the side gulping water she looked hot and sweaty a Rn was checking her over feared seized me as Zoe talked..
and so we began in remembrance of the old year we say
Slán. [goodbye]
In preparations for the new year yet to began we say
Haileo Dia dhaoibh [ hello god be with you]
now may I have the first camper.
Slowly the kids started to move each solemnly emptying their bags into the pile of bogs as a band of kids behind Mac started to play traditional Irish music , Mac herself looked worn out but was putting on a brave face, she got up in the middle and started singing..
Summertime - the sun would shine
We'd lay across the field
Sheltered in the shadow of a tree
We'd write our poems to take along
to sing out on the road
And you would always sing this song to me.
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.
As she looked around a girl about the age of 12 stopped and emptied her bag and another when she did she looked up to the heavens and to Mac and said softly..
This is for my friend Katie Lorahran who went home
to god this may she rest in peace I miss you
She turned with unshed tears in her eyes and sat down her friends put their arms around her shoulders as the line went on a Erie chill went through me . I had wondered ,I had found out and I couldn't help but wish I hadn't..
Mac started to sing again as they went on..
May God be with you and bless you:
May you see your children's children.
May you be poor in misfortune,
Rich in blessings.
May you know nothing but happiness
From this day forward.
As they went on a few more paid respects to fallen friends.. a young boy about 8 stood up and sprinkled his contents into the burning ambers which crackled and danced as to reach out it's branches to the boy for support
this is for Patrick McDermott
who went home to be with god last summer
Wait for me boy I miss u. ..someday will meet again..
He looked at Mac who reached down and squeezed his hands her voice never faltering as she kept on.
Autumn leaves would change our trees
to colors on the ground
Swirling patterns beautiful to see
I'd lay my head down on your lap
I wouldn't make a sound
And you would always sing this song to me.
May the road rise up to meet you May green be the grass you walk on,
May the wind be always at your back
May the warm rays of sun fall upon your home
And may the hand of a friend always be near.
May blue be the skies above you,
May pure be the joys that surround you,
May true be the hearts that love you.
Her voice was rich in emotions and in full Irish melody..
At the end each kid stood up holding hands and sang with her
May the road rise up to meet you May green be the grass you walk on,
May the wind be always at your back
May the warm rays of sun fall upon your home
And may the hand of a friend always be near.
May blue be the skies above you,
May pure be the joys that surround you,
May true be the hearts that love you.