LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
CAMP Matters |
by Murray Archibald |
To Be Frank About It
Though the new wing of the Community Center has been open since February, the recent dedication infused the space with a whole new spirit and reminded me why we gather as a community to share the milestone moments of life. The many people who crowded together to celebrate the occasion, will always remember the beautiful day, both for its glorious weather and for the joy of simply being a part of it all. This has been a tough year for people everywhere as we work our way through the difficult economic times that have changed the world as we were accustomed to it, but I'm starting to believe that there might actually be good coming from it. If nothing else, the times force us to take a long look at what it is we value for ourselves, our community, and our world. As a part of the dedication, I invited the crowd to participate in the ceremony by repeating the Community Center vision statement, "to be the heart of the community." At some point during that dedication litany, the voice of seven-year-old Frank Riley-Spillanewhose two dads are the owners of Wings-to-Go in downtown Rehobothcould clearly be heard asking the question, "Is this a prayer?" "Yes, I guess it is." I answered, with a big grin on my face and much to the delight of people in the room. It was one of those spontaneous moments, impossible to adequately describe but that changes everything, and for me, at least, created an even better memory of a day I will value for a very long time. Frank and his sister Asia (and their dads) are great friends of all us here at CAMP Rehoboth, and can always be counted upon to add a unique perspective on the things that many of us might simply take for granted. A few weeks before the Dedication, Frank's dads shared one of Frank's writing assignments with usone for which he received an "A" and a "very organized and neat" comment from his teacher. "I am going to write about Mona Lotts." He printed in beautiful big letters on a lined page. "A man named Kevin pretends to be Mona. I met Mona aka Kevin one time. He dresses up as Mona. He sings as Mona Lotts. He works at the Blue Moon. Mona is pretty." Frankly, Frank has a way with words, and his words tell us a lot about the community in which we live and how things have changed over the years. My youngest brother is a columnist for the Birmingham News, and he recently sent me a chapter from a book he's written. Though the chapter was about our family, its focus was my being gay, and the coming out experience our family facedfrom his perspective, not mine. John is nine years younger than I am, and his telling of our story moved me deeply and, in truth, added texture to my own heart and soul. Isn't that what all of us wantto touch the place where we really connect with one another? Once we push aside all the clutter that keeps us occupied with the busyness of our everyday lives, don't we want simply to find that which is most real, most meaningful to us? Frank did that for me at the Dedication service. He anchored meand many others, as well, judging from the reactionin that moment, in that room. Frank makes me know, somehow, that our dreams of a better world, a more caring world, a world that embraces fully the diversity that makes it whole; is real and happening and that we can't give up just because life throws a few obstacles in the way. Yes, Frank does that for me, and so do his sister and their two dadsand the many other people who shared in the dedication with us. The room was filled with support: from Board members and committee members, to volunteers, donors, artists and designers, architects and builders, craftspeople, local leaders, visitors, long-time supporters and brand new onesyoung and old, gay and straight. It was a joyful day, and reminded me how much we need to protect and nurture that which is important to our lives, both locally and around the world. To be frank about it, the day also reminded me that the real moments we share with one anotherthe value and love we give to one anotheris really what "Creating A More Positive" world is all about. Photos: Frank and Asia Riley-Spillane and a detail from Frank's writing assignment. Murray Archibald, Founder and President of the Board of Directors of CAMP Rehoboth, is an artist in Rehoboth Beach.Thank you to all the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center Volunteers for the period of May 22-June 4 Carl Armideo Tony Burns Harvey Chasser Sandra Clark Becky Craft Lynn Finaldi Corky Fitzpatrick Kathy Fitzpatrick Spencer Kingswell Paula Kovarcik Charlie Lee Chelsey Leffet Jon McDonough Jeff Moore Sally Packard Anthony Perkins Joie Rake Barb Ralph Chris Sampson Sammy Trail Rainbow Thumb Club* Matt Carey Ward Ellinger Rob Freeman Tony Ghigi Steve Hoult Bill Jones Bud Palmer Stephen Palmer Ken Reilly Tom White |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 19, No. 06 June 5, 2009 |