Despite my former role as a Pastor, Christmas and Easter were never my favorite holidays.
And although it’s Illahee sacrilege to say so, the 4th of July doesn’t hold the top spot either.
My favorite holiday has always been Thanksgiving.
Listening to Alice’s Restaurant Massacree, watching “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles,” eating an outrageous amount of food, and spending time with family and friends with no expectations as to when dinner will start or end. It’s a joyful time to be together.
This year, our family has something (or someone) new to be thankful for. She’s only seven pounds and, although I’m biased, I can already tell she will certainly live up to the Illahee goal of being a great girl. Ruth Louise Jones arrived early last week. She arrived a bit earlier than we expected, but she’s healthy, and so is Mom. Gardner believes that Ruth knew I loved Thanksgiving and wanted to ensure that I didn’t have to spend the holiday in the Mission Hospital birthing unit. 
There will come a day when she’ll sleep her first night in cabin one, swing off the Tarzan, and waddle down the stairs to Rise and Shine as an Illahee camper, but for now, I’ll adore her just as she is: a little red potato who loves to eat, sleep, cry, and snuggle (in that order).
A job like camp evokes masses of gratitude. We’re grateful for the staff who made this summer wonderful. We’re thankful for the staff who have already committed to making next year even better. We’re thankful for the families and campers who continue to say yes to the camp experience, and for the campers we have yet to meet who are brand-new, anxiously awaiting what their first Illahee summer will bring.
I had a football coach who always said, “I’m a father first, teacher second, and coach third.”
Echoing his theme, beyond the blessing that is Illahee and our amazing camp community, I’m especially thankful for my family of Gardner, Brooks, Jasper, and Ruthie.
Wishing you and your great girls out there a wonderful Thanksgiving.
May the Yeast rolls never run empty.
Thankfully,
Lucas