It was a cool fall night and our young family huddled close as the boys from Harding Academy played football below. My wife, Nicole; son, Judah; and I sat in the middle of an empty section of bleachers. Judah warmed up eventually and ventured beyond momma’s blanket to run and climb on the seats around us.

After a time of play, he lured a middle-aged woman from her seat above to a place near us. She egged Judah into talking and rolling his eyes and it, of course, stirred in her a hearty laugh.

“My name’s Grace Brewer.”

We introduced ourselves and found the connection that her husband, Dr. Rod, had taught me English when I was at Harding. Before then, I had returned to Harding as an adjunct English teacher, thus re-acquainting myself with Rod, but I had never met his wife before.

After sharing a few things about Rod, we found an even stronger bond between us—Camp Wyldewood. I worked for camp as the assistant director and Grace shared that she had been a board member at one time.

And a camper.

And a counselor.

And a lifeguard.

We immediately hit it off, sharing stories of camp's past. Surprisingly, not much had changed from when she was a camper in the 50’s and 60’s and when I was one in the 80’s. Many of her narratives and memories were mine—the cabins, the rec halls, the heat, canteen, and the closing ceremony. A kinship grew between us that often forms for those who share common landscapes.

Rod kept us updated these last few months with e-mails. I’d like to share an excerpt of one in which Rod relayed some of the memories they had of Wyldewood and the importance it played in their young lives. Rod wrote:

“On Tuesday, Grace read the front-page newspaper article about Wyldewood's 60th anniversary. There was a great picture of Bro. Dykes on a tractor accepting the keys to the first 80 acres back in 1948. The Wyldewood article triggered lots of memories, which we've shared during the week. In her heart, Grace has always been a Wyldewood-er, a staff member at large.

“This past week, we cried happy tears, thinking of her students and children of friends (she can name each child!); we wept grateful tears over Wyldewood, how we both had eagerly looked forward to camp, seeing old friends and making new ones; we shed thankful tears for the vision of Bro. Dykes -- that Oklahoma native who founded Wyldewood -- and for Coach Groover and Mike Lincoln and Robert Powell who've directed the camp since him; tears of joy for the little rec-hall and songs we sung as campers, songs that never grow old, songs that continue to affirm our place beneath the cross of Jesus.”

What Rod and Grace shared is the goal that we have for all young people who come to camp—to give them a spiritual identity that gravitates around the cross of Jesus.

I was, of course, concerned when learning of Grace’s cancer this past year. And even more so when learning of her decline. Rod kept many of us updated these last few months, but there was always a desire to do more, as if a prayer isn’t the most powerful thing we can give someone.

Her passing more than a week ago hasn’t been without sadness. When those we adore leave us, we can’t help but feel their absence.

Scripture, however, implores us to give honor to those who deserve it. At this time, we at Wyldewood give honor to this great lady. On behalf of the board of directors and the staff at Camp Wyldewood we say a prayer of thanksgiving for what Grace has meant to us and will continue to mean. We also thank her and Rod for naming Wyldewood as the beneficiary of any memorials.

She is missed, but we can find comfort in remembering the blessing she will continue to be for all those she touched.

And we know the Lord will enjoy her hearty laugh.

In loving memory,

Robert Powell

Executive Director

Camp Wyldewood