Faith

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Little Blue

Every year you will find a team of men who paddle the Erie Canal. Their destination is Keuka Lake and Camp Good Days and Special Times. Camp Good Days is a camp for children with life threatening illnesses. Somewhere the kids can go and be “normal” for a week or two.

The paddlers range in age from early seventies to college age. Everyone pulls their weight paddling. The canoe is decorated and the men dress up as trappers from days of old. This fund raising trip was the dream of one man (Frank, who goes by Pierre LaTrek on the trip) who had the courage and the faith to put it together and pull it off, year after year. Even through medical setbacks and awful weather, they persevere. They know the pot of gold is in the faces of the kids cheering them on as they paddle into camp.

One year, a man on the canal saw their canoe, their outfits and just had to ask what in the world they were up to. Frank told him the story of his vision to raise money for the camp and the kids. After hearing the story, the man asked where he could find them the next day and urged them on.

While paddling the next day, the team noticed a man waving frantically on the shore. They paddled over and standing there was the man from the day before. He had a check and a little blue spruce tree for them. He told them to use the tree as they saw fit. Little Blue was born.

The last few years that same man has met them on their journey and presented them with a monetary donation and a little blue spruce tree to be planted upon their arrival in camp.

Each year, the tree has been dedicated to the memory of a child who didn’t beat the odds. It is planted as a living memorial to the life now gone, yet full of life with God.

Last year they began their journey as always and Frank had a child for whom they were going to dedicate the tree. As they were paddling along the canal, one of the team mates asked if they could dedicate the tree this year in memory of the child of one of his friends. Frank was in a quandary as he had already promised the tree to the memory of another child.

Frank took it to the Lord. As they paddled, the man with the tree met up with them. He presented Frank with a check and two little blues. Beside himself, Frank asked him why he brought two trees. The man said he just knew he could use another one this year. Each child would have a tree dedicated in their name.

God works in wondrous ways, from men paddling down a canal in rain, heat, and storms to providing a living memorial of one passed on. All we have to do is ask.

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