We All Benefit - Week of Sept. 22nd

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." ~Helen Keller

In our community, there are multiple organizations doing good things.  We feel fortunate to be connected to so many.  Those connections are because of Cam.

Thursday marked the 4th annual benefit for Be Cafe, originally known as Brody's Be Cafe.  It has grown into six locations in the last 5 years! The theme "Good is Growing" was such a poignant title for the coffee shop with a purpose.  Cam has volunteered for the cafe since its inception and Jane has been a board member for the duration.  Semi-formal attire for a garden party was requested for the event.  Cam and his mom were asked to be greeters and welcome all attendees and answer any questions.  Cameron took his role quite seriously ensuring that guests had a bidder number and knew where things were. The chauchetiere table was most impressive along with the delicious food and mini bundt cakes for dessert.  The silent auction and live auctions were lively and fun.  The heartfelt stories of new employees ("Be"ristas) and growth was emotional for everyone in attendance.  A live band and dancing closed out the event.

Next up was a packed weekend of activities.  Early Saturday, Chris was on his way to set up for the Lori's Voice Walk at the Veteran's Park.  Jane and her son arrived before the announcements began.  Everyone who signed up received a shirt and bag of information.  Many sponsors were there and Cam even had time to chat with the founder, Lori Hastings.  Fishbeck colleagues of Chris were present and Cam's dad was proud that his company sponsored the Be Benefit as well as the Lori's Voice Walk!

Jane and her son made their way around the track and talked to sponsors and friends before they exited.  Cam wanted to make it in time for the West Michigan Miracle League baseball game.

We arrived before the national anthem and Auntie Jo was the first one to find us. Since Cam's team had the 11:30 start time, Jane thought there may be some Cam Fans in attendance.  Ms. Cris and her daughter Mary Jo and Ms. Kathy and her husband Kevin were cheering on Cam as well.  They've collectively never missed attending a game in every one of Cameron's seasons.  It was fun to catch up on life with all of them.

That afternoon we welcomed Amanda and her daughter Sally.  They were attending the Lainey Wilson concert that evening with Jane.  

Sunday morning, we said goodbye to our friends as they made their way back to Ann Arbor.  Cam and his parents left about the same time to venture to Newaygo.  The senior class of Forest Hills Northern were meeting at Camp Henry to hang out together.  One of the activities on the agenda was for each senior to paint a ceiling tile.  The tiles are then placed in their high school ceiling recognizing the graduates.  Cam was a little apprehensive about the day, unsure if he'd be able to do everything.

We dropped him off before lunch and picked him up a little after 7pm.  He told us he shouldn't have been nervous at all and declared it was a very fun day!

At the ball game, Cam's former grade school teacher Ms. Kathy, told us she has a special place in her heart for her former student.  She also said something that completely rings true... 

Some of us collect things. Cam collects people.

Camology Quotes:

Cam is always thinking ahead.  Wednesday evening, he asked if he could take his Thursday shower after school.  His parents were a bit puzzled by this until he reminded them that the Benefit may go later than expected and he had school the next day.  Then, he added the following comment:

"Everyone will benefit at the Benefit if I take my shower early!"

Change of Plans - Week of Sept. 15th

"Change is the only constant in life." ~Heraclitus

It was spirit week at Cameron's high school, leading up to the homecoming football game on Friday and the dance on Saturday.  Monday was jersey day, Tuesday was red day and an outdoor powderpuff football game.  Cam was able to hang out with his buddy Liam on the sidelines and everyone was thankful for the continued mild weather.

There is a quote that summed up this week- "we cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails."  Jane had succumb to a cold that had started on Monday.  By Wednesday evening, Cameron was coughing.  After a rough night of sleep and continued cough, he stayed home on Thursday and Friday.  We thought he might feel better by the weekend, but it just wasn't the case.  Saturday morning, Cam cancelled out his activities which included WMML baseball, dinner with friends and the Homecoming Dance.  He was bummed but just didn't feel up to tackling it all.  

Sunday morning, however, Cameron was back on track and well enough to join his parents for an afternoon outing. ArtPrize 2025 is the annual international art competition and cultural festival taking place in Grand Rapids, Michigan, from September 18 to October 4, 2025. It transforms the city into a public gallery, showcasing works from thousands of artists in various mediums, with free public access to the entries.  The public votes for the art they like best and the grand prize winner receives $100,000. The competition began back in 2009.

Our destination was the Gerald R. Ford Museum where they typically showcase quite a bit of the art.  Indoors we saw the mischievous bears on an antique sewing machine, a crocheted portrait of Audrey Hepburn, a geometric lighted sculpture and a rough waters picture created on stainless steel.  On the second floor of the museum, there were even more creations and each of us found favorites. 

Many of the artwork creators were present so you could ask them questions.  

Jane really liked one called "Arras" which is the largest kiln-fired, woven glass surface in existence. It is made from several thousand glass strips, canes and stringers, hand woven into a fragile lattice before being fired over a ceramic mold in a 11x7 ft fusing kiln located at the artist's studio in Old Town, Lansing, Michigan. He pulls his own stringers and cane; the strips are all hand cut with a glass cutter and straight edge. Imperfections and inconsistencies in the weave structure are present and are representative of the nuances of human nature, ever-present in the glorious, real-world fabric of life.

Cam choose "No Such Thing as Flightless Birds" which is a colored pencil drawing about coming together to support each other in times of need, using our strengths to help others when we can and allowing others to help support us in reaching our goals and aspirations.  Cam's dad especially like the sunrise picture right next to the birds.  It was a photo taken of Lake Michigan in Glencoe, Illinois.

We were thankful for the distraction of spending time in the art world and meeting some of the artists.  We also commented that we are very fortunate to have this unique competition in our very own city!

Camology Quotes:

Accessibility is a way of life for Cam. When we were locating parking at the museum, we realized that Cameron would need to drive under a heavy chain to access the sidewalk.  He was not very happy about it and quickly commented:

"I think I should alert the ADA that this is not right that I would need to drive under this to get to where I need to go!" 

A Cold Strike - Week of Sept. 8th

"Medicinal discovery, it moves in mighty leaps, it leapt straight past the common cold...and gave it us for keeps."  ~Pam Ayres

Sometimes we marvel how much things have changed from the time Cam's parents were kids.  Cam had a dentist appointment on Monday.  He remains in his own power chair since it reclines as far back as a dental one.  Jane marveled at the tv on the ceiling!  Truly, this is a genius idea and preoccupies the mind.  Chris and Jane will be dropping hints at their own dental offices during their next checkup. 

Unfortunately, Jane picked up a cold that grew steadily worse throughout the week.  Cam felt the brunt of it Wednesday night and woke up feeling not so great the next morning.  He remained home from school on Thursday and Friday.  

Cam did receive a surprised belated birthday gift in the mail from Ms. Cyndi and her family.  He was excited to find a Red Lobster gift card and a U of M football t-shirt!

By Saturday morning, Jane and her son were on the upswing.  Cam decided he was ready for WMML baseball, so we headed out before 10am.  There was a shortage of helpers on the field, so Chris volunteered to hang out with his son.  

We were happy to see Ms. Barbara arrive to watch the game.  She hasn't missed a season since she had Cam and Brody in her kindergarten class!  The mild weather made for an enjoyable morning.  Barbara insisted she take a family picture for us since we always be sure to snap photos of any Cam fans.

A WMML tradition is shown on the scoreboard as each player goes to bat.  It always feels so professional to see each participant's photograph up on the big display. Remaining games are: 10:30am on 9/20, 11:30am on 9/27 and 9:30am on 10/4!

Sunday afternoon, we made our way to the cottage where we were scheduled for family photos.  Oma met us there and it was a beautiful scene with the sun sparkling on the water.  

We had the famous photographer, Holly Gauper take some solo photos of our 12th grader for his yearbook picture.  We're excited to see the results of our hour-long session.  

Thankfully, senior pics have come a long way and instead of hanging out in a studio, they are typically taken in a favorite setting.  Cam certainly chose well with one of his fave places.

Camology Quotes:

Cameron has developed strong feelings about things being unfair or unjust.  After watching a news story about recently built art shacks behind Brody's Be Cafe, he voiced his thoughts.

"It may be a good idea, but in my opinion, it is not right that the backyard isn't accessible anymore."

Baseball and an Outing - Week of Sept. 1st

"Home is the nicest word there is." ~Laura Ingalls Wilder

There was a crispness to the air this week.  The morning strolls to the bus required a coat every day.  The afternoons were pleasant and the coats were shed.  For the first time in quite some time, we were thankful for a weekend at home.

Saturday was opening day for the West Michigan Miracle League/WMML fall baseball season.  We were scheduled for the first game at 9:30am.  Cam was happy to be with Coach Mark again as well as best bud, Brody, and many other teammates he knows from the past.  The coaches choose their team school and Mr. Mark is a huge Norte Dame fan so Cam is one of the Fighting Irish.  The batting box, activated by a pulley system to swing the bat, is used by Cameron and many other players too.  The Grand Valley State University Women's Softball team came in full force to volunteer their time as helpers.  

One of our favorite traditions with the WMML league is the final run tunnel.  The players and helpers line each side of the home stretch area and cheer on the team members coming through for the last runs.  Cam's genuine smile shines through as he exits the sea of people.

After a relaxing afternoon, we planned an evening outing.  For Cameron's birthday, Auntie Karen had given him a very generous gift card to Olive Garden restaurant.  Cam decided he wanted to treat his parents to dinner.  We arrived early and it seems it is always a popular spot.  We were seated after a few minutes and thoroughly enjoyed our tasty meals.  Our sweet waitress brought us extra breadsticks to take home as well as extra chocolate mints, Cam's favorites!  Upon exiting the restaurant, a hostess ran out with Chris's phone, which he had surprisingly left on the table.  Cam and his mom had a big laugh about that one, insisting that Chris had never done that before!

Camology Quotes:

Cameron had been asking his parents about having a credit card so he could pay for his own things.  Brody's parents talked to us about Greenlight, which functions as a debit card.  Cam, of course, had a multitude of questions:

"How do you make sure my credit card is secure? How do you know they won't sell my information? Are you sure that it's safe?"