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?"  

Relaxation Action - Week of Aug. 25th

"Sometimes, the most productive thing you can do is relax." ~Mark Black

Even though it was only the fourth day of school on Monday, our family seemed to be extra tired.  It's always tough to get back into the swing of things.  Cam was looking forward to the long weekend.

We received this truck door picture from Auntie Leslie and Uncle Wes with the name "Cam" on the driver-side door and an indication that they were missing us.

On Tuesday, Cameron headed to Jude's Barbershop for a much needed trim.  The stylists are very accommodating with Cam as he raises up his own power wheelchair to any height for them to complete the haircut.  Ms. Sherry always tells him how handsome he is.

It was a short week due to the holiday weekend.  Friday was a day off of school and a day off of work for Jane.
First up on our agenda was meeting Ms. Amanda at Old Navy.  We all picked out something for purchase and Amanda surprised Cam with birthday gifts. His presents included a book about a girl in a wheelchair as well as non-alcoholic sparkling grape juice to celebrate his entry into official adulthood!

Next up was a visit from best bud, Brody and his mom, Jenny.  They brought a birthday treat in the form of Culver's, a true favorite for Cam and Brody.  The boys dined on their favorite lunch items and Cameron thoroughly enjoyed his chocolate milkshake following his tasty meal.  The guys decided to hang out for the afternoon watching Mufasa: Lion King and then another Lion King movie.  Popcorn and M&M's accompanied the films.

Saturday morning, we loaded up the van to head north to meet Oma.  We were staying at the cottage for the next two nights.

Our cousins were still visiting and we shared dinner together outside.  James and Cam have birthdays just one day apart.  As the sun began to set, the air turned cooler.  Jeffrey wrapped up Cam in a super cool dry robe.  The dry robes were originally designed for surfers to change out of cold suits.  They're oversized and have a warm fleece lining.  Cam said he felt cozy and warm.

Sunday marked a picture perfect beach day.  Lake Michigan was calmer than normal.  Cameron had fun in his beach Cam-mobile.  The sandbar was incredibly shallow and even approached the shoreline in some spots.  Cousins played in the kayak while Chris and son met them in the Cam-mobile.

Oma, Cam and his parents ate their dinner on the cottage deck looking out at the big lake.

We found two anonymous quotes that reflect our cottage time and being there... "The calmness of Lake Michigan mirrors the tranquility of my soul" and "Lake Michigan is my escape, my sanctuary, where I find solace in the chaos of life."

Camology Quotes:

This week marked an important event for Cam and his parents.  Since he turned 18 and is now an adult, he made the decision to have his parents become his official guardians.  The court hearing was held on Wednesday morning via a Zoom video conference.  When the judge asked Cameron if he wanted his parents to be his legal guardians, he enthusiastically replied!

"Yes!"  The judge told Cam that his big smile was worth 10 bonus points 😁

And Just Like That...Senior Year - Week of Aug. 18th

"Time flies over us, but leaves it's shadow behind." ~Nathaniel Hawthorne

It is always difficult to say goodbye to our friends we know we won't see for quite some time.  After numerous hugs and a full cooler of snacks from Les and Wes, we were on the road at 6:30am to begin our trek home.  We talked about the week's activities and the awesome wedding during our 11-hour ride.  After a few stops, we arrived home close to 8pm on Monday evening.  We were all tired and thankful that Tuesday was our "recovery" day.

After unpacking, our next task was getting everything ready for school.  Tuesday afternoon, however, we were able to take a break and make it special for Cam.  Our cousins, Kate and Seth stopped in for a short visit as they were en route back to the east coast.  Cam was totally shocked! They came bearing birthday gifts for the 18-year-old: an enormous chocolate bar from Zingerman's, a hat that says 'Life, Liberty, Beaches & Pie' and a famous homemade blueberry pie baked by Seth!  It was a literal sweet surprise.  There never seems to be enough time to catch up, but we were so thankful for the fun visit.

It seems that Cameron entered kindergarten not too long ago. In the blink of an eye, his senior year of high school began on Wednesday.  Thanks to Brody and his mom for picking up the Senior shirt so Cam could wear it on the first day.  His buddies Tiana and Addyson were waiting for him on the bus.

Cam survived the first three days of 12th grade and was ready to sleep in for the weekend.  Saturday was our project/catch up day and Chris officially finished his thesis for his master's degree and uploaded the final documentation!  

On Sunday, we made our way to see cousins, including JJ, Jeffrey, Libby, James and his family, along with Katie and her family.  It was another surprise for Cam to see cousin David, who was in from Texas. Oma met us as well and we were all gathered to surprise cousin James to celebrate his 40th birthday.  A delicious cookout accompanied the festivities as well as more extended family and friends.

We were scheduled to depart before 7p to return home.  With school now in session, Cam is up every morning before 6am.

Our younger cousins pride themselves in knowing all of the intricacies of the safety buckles for Cameron's power wheelchair.  All four waited for their older relative to get in the van before piling in behind him to fasten the hooks into the chair.

After a final safety check, we were ready to make our way back to GR. The cousins, for us all, seem more like siblings.  And their innate ability to make Cam feel part of the gang is an invaluable gift.

Camology Quotes:

During our 11-hour trek from North Carolina back to Grand Rapids, we made a few pit stops. Cam kept us chuckling with his jokes..

"Where is a police officer's favorite place to arrest people?"

------------------------------------"A Rest Stop!"

Welcome to the Magical Mountains & Adulthood - Week of Aug. 11th

"Anticipate the worst, but hope for the best - and sometimes, the best is what shows up." ~Maya Angelou

When traveling with Cam, the mode of travel makes a difference. Air travel is more constrained, so packing is challenging.  Loading various components into a vehicle is much easier.

Monday was a whirlwind, preparing for our road trip to the southeastern part of the country.  Tuesday morning, we were on our way to Lexington, Kentucky, the halfway point to Mills River, North Carolina. We arrived in KY close to 4p at the Embassy Suites we'd reserved. Cam always requests that Jane call ahead of time to confirm, which she had done the previous day. However, our accessible room had some type of hvac leak and was in the process of remediation. The manager told us it may not be ready for a few hours. As weary travelers, we requested accommodations elsewhere, which they eventually found for us.  Accessibility for Cameron is a travel requirement and one that is non-negotiable.  

Wednesday morning, we enjoyed a delicious breakfast and started out to our final destination, which is just 25 minutes south of Asheville, NC.  

Upon arrival to Auntie Leslie and Uncle Wes' home in Mills River, the first thing we saw was the personalized parking sign they had made especially for Cam!  Leslie and Jane's close friendship began 46 years ago and their families are intertwined.  

The expansive property that Leslie and Wes live on feels like a mountain retreat. They graciously provided us the entire lower level of their home which includes two guestrooms and a full bath. This was the first time we were able to stay at someone's home while traveling with Cam! Our visit was marking a very special occasion.  Leslie's youngest daughter, Ali, was marrying her longtime beau, Daree.  The first of many events was scheduled Wednesday evening.

After unpacking and relaxing for a bit, we made our way to Asheville, where Leslie's mom lives. She was hosting a welcome party for family and a few friends. We were honored to be included.  After a relaxing buffet catered dinner, there was a surprise birthday cake.  Leslie's niece and nephew (the twins) had recently celebrated a bday and everyone knew that Cam would be in NC for his special day.  The cake had the twins and Cam's names on it!

Thursday, we lounged around outside, soaking up the incredible views. Leslie and Wes adopted brother kittens a few months ago that they named Earl and Sterling, due to their gray coloring. The kitties were fun entertainment and play outside during the daytime. The wedding rehearsal took place late in the afternoon, so we were on our own for dinner.  

There was a nearby local restaurant with an expansive menu right in Mills River.  Chris and Jane were shocked to see a full salad bar, something that has nearly disappeared since the pandemic. Following dinner, we stopped at a local brewery.  Cam was convinced he was not allowed inside. Jane showed him the website for Mills River Brewing Company which indicated it was kid and dog friendly. He was still slightly unsure until upon arrival, we were greeted by two different dogs when entering!

Friday was split into two activities...girls attended a bridal luncheon in Ali's honor (we all saw a bear on the adjacent Biltmore golf course) while the boys explored the Blue Ridge Parkway to see more of the mountains.  We all convened at Highland Brewing Co. that evening where the bride and groom were hosting a welcome party for all of their wedding guests!  The outdoor area featured four different food trucks to choose from.

Saturday was the big event!  Besides the Weatherford family, Les and Wes were also hosting friends Lori and Kelly and Rob. It was a bonus to get to know each other.  

At different times in the afternoon, we made our way to the Biltmore Forest Country Club in Asheville.  Chris and Cam looked so handsome in their tuxedos.  The tented outdoor area made for a beautiful setting for the wedding.  Ali and Daree looked incredible and spoke about each other so lovingly.  During their words, Ali quoted "Andy" from The Office who said "I wish there was a way to know you're in the good days before you've actually left them" and relayed that these are those good days, with many more to come.

Following the ceremony, there was an immense downpour of rain with some thunder and lightning added in which was actually exciting. The rain subsided and following a most delicious food station menu (Cam's favorite was the mac-n-cheese bar), the dancing began.

One of the flower girls, Ellie (Leslie's niece and a twin) walked right over to Cam and began dancing with him. No one asked her to do that and it was a very special moment to witness.  Cameron remained on the dance floor most of the evening, thanks to its accessibility.  Mr. and Mrs. Wynn (aka Ali and Daree) joined in the festivities with everyone. What a memorable evening!

Sunday, August 17 marked Cameron's 18th birthday!! 

After a few morning presents from his parents and Auntie Leslie and Uncle Wes, we all enjoyed some hot tub time!  It was a great way for Cam to relax his tight muscles.  

Late in the afternoon, we made our way to Sierra Nevada for Cameron's official bday dinner.  We were shocked to see the newlyweds join us, along with Leslie's daughter Erin and her boyfriend Austin, her mom, Linda, one of her sister's, Lauren and cousins. In addition to Les and Wes, friends Kelly and Rob were present too.  

Ali and Daree gave Cam 3 lottery tickets.  With his dad's assistance, Cam completed scratching off the coverings. Unbelievably, one of the tickets was worth $100!!!!!!  We were all astounded!  Leslie's kids ordered Cam a s'mores brownie sundae which was most scrumptious.  Sierra Nevada scores big points for accessibility with the first-ever accessible bar counter Cameron (and his parents) has ever seen.  After dinner, we lounged outdoors chatting about the wedding and the couple's upcoming honeymoon. Following the festive outing, Ali and Daree decided to drive back to Wes and Leslie's home to continue the fun.  They cashed out the lotto ticket on the way there and gave Cam a $100 bill!  Jane and Leslie had conspired earlier and some Cold Stone creamery desserts awaited our crew.  It was quite the memorable birthday for Cam even though he wasn't in his home state.  Our friends made it more special than we could have imagined and gifted Cam with some Sierra Nevada gear.

One of Cam's gifts from his parents was a cozy blanket which reads "Your childhood has officially expired. You are now a certified responsible adult." We all had a good laugh over that one since Cam is so responsible already.

Chris and Jane fully stand behind the sentiment on the t-shirt they also gave him: "Awesome since 2007!"

Camology Quotes:

We were all a bit nervous to stay in a home we hadn't been in with Cam before. After arriving in the kitchen after our first night there, Cam declared:

"This is the most accessible house I have been in without it trying to be accessible!"

Soaking Up Summer - Week of Aug. 4th

"Summer afternoon - summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language." ~Henry James

Somehow it seems our favorite season has just begun and now we're already in the month of August!

It was a busy week for Cam.  Ms. Amanda was dog-sitting a puppy named Toast so they stopped in to visit.  We are very thankful for Amanda's fun outings with Cameron.  He doesn't need supervision, but while his parents work, it's definitely more enjoyable to be doing things and exploring new activities.

Most mornings, Cam and Amanda take a long stroll through one of our local parks.  Some days, it has been too humid so when they are able to take advantage, it's a treat.

On Wednesday, our dear friend, Mary Jo popped over after work to see her buddy, Cam.  She knew he would not be in town for his birthday this year.  Mary Jo has hung out with Cameron over the years since her mom was one of his aides in grade school.  He opened a huge pack of Reese's and a hilarious t-shirt that reads "Adulting...18%"

Thursday evening, we were headed to Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park for a family event.  Fishbeck, where Chris is the IT Director, hosts an employee summer outing every year.  This marked the first time they had rented out the entire park space!  

Every time we have visited, it's typically very crowded.  It was such a treat to be able to move around easily.  Each family was given food cups in the form of carrots and lettuce to feed the animals.  Cam really likes the giraffes because they bend their long necks to reach him.  Dinner was available and everyone strolled around on their own visiting all of the areas.  It was a warm summer evening and a creative way to bring employees and their families together.

Friday evening, Cam and Ms. Amanda watched a movie while his parents celebrated their 22nd wedding anniversary a day early by going out to dinner.

Saturday morning, we welcomed some very special visitors.  Jane's family has been connected with the Hueys since before she was born. Cam's mom was a nanny for many summers for their families.  Caroline was headed to the airport and luckily we live close by!  We try to visit them every summer at Stony Lake and this time, they came to our home.

In the afternoon, we made our way to the cottage to have a beach day with cousins and share dinner together.  Oma met us there and cousin Max's mom was visiting too.  The wind was so strong that we had a tough time with the beach tent.  It was the perfect evening for an outside meal and Max cooked duck meat on the smoker while Coco whipped up the most delicious deviled smoked duck eggs.  We brought some of Chris' Canadian walleye that we still had and it was a veritable feast!

Summer goes by much too quickly in the state of Michigan. Even though we know we're in the home stretch, we are living in the moment and soaking it all in.

Camology Quotes:

Chris and Cam were experimenting with some different AI tools. They uploaded all of Cam's blogs into one and it created a summary podcast! We were all pretty impressed.  Even Cam commented: 

"I admit, I was skeptical at first!"