You Are a Child of the Universe

As promised, a post about final Vespers as a camper:

The night before camp was over everyone would gather for a few last activities. The evening started with a dress rehearsal performance of the dance, drama, and music show that would be performed for campers parents the following day. Everyone would gather in the Dance Pavillion to watch the show while the staff went to prepare for final Vespers. Once the show was over and it was almost dark, everyone would walk north thorough camp about 1/2 a mile and stop in the driveway of the house where I grew up. At that point, everyone was asked to walk in silence the remaining 1/4 of a mile or so. The girls would all be linked by their elbows, with silent tears running down their faces, the boys would walk quietly with heads down. Summer camp flings would end the next day and there were lots of little broken hearts. That 1/4 mile of silence made everyone focus on the fact that things were coming to an end for the summer.

Final Vespers was held in the Upper Meadow and the audience (campers) sat on the ground on the east side of the meadow so that they could see the entire rest of the meadow. I always loved the Upper Meadow, there was a HUGE ponderosa pine on either end and one in the middle, and a beautiful grove of small aspen trees on the north east side, just below the rock slide, and on the west side, it dropped off down a small hill into a marsh area. The grass was always green and the shade plentiful. Where the campers sat was a lovely grass area with a big stump at the back. I remember sitting on the stump when I was a very small child so I could see over the crowd. The audience faced a large fire pit, and we always waited until it was completely dark for Vespers to start.

Once darkness settled in, an orange glow became visible from the low marsh area on the west side of the meadow, just down the hill. The entire staff walked up the hill and emerged with their faces illuminated with light from 4 huge torches carried by a few staff members, and candles carried by everyone else. They arranged themselves in a semi-circle in two rows around the fire pit, with the torch bearers in the front. (And when I say torches, I mean TORCHES. They were huge balls of fire on top of giant poles that were 6 or 8 feet long.) The torches were lowered into the fire pit and their flames engulfed the stack of wood that was already in place.

From behind the huge ponderosa in the middle of the meadow came two figures dressed in all black who began dancing in front of the fire as the Desiderata for the Young was read in parts by each staff member:

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter;

for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery.

But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals;

and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.

Especially, do not feign affection.

Neither be critical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings.

Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars;

you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy.

This was always my favorite part of Vespers. I loved the way each voice bounced off the mountain side and that each person had a small portion to read. This is a poem that will always stick with me and each time I read it I’m inspired about my life all over again.

After the reading, the staff sang two songs:

Each campfire light anew
The flame of friendship true.
The joy we’ve had in knowing you
Will last our whole life through.

And as the embers die away
We wish that we might ever stay
But since we cannot have our way
We’ll meet again some other day.

And my all time favorite (this was always the part that made me start crying…something about strawberries):

Today while the blossoms still cling to the vine,
I’ll taste your strawberries, I’ll drink your sweet wine.
A million tomorrows shall all pass away, ‘ere I forget all the joy that is mine, today.
I’ll be a dandy and I’ll be a rover, you’ll know who I am by the songs that I sing.
I’ll feast at your table, I’ll sleep in your clover, who cares what tomorrow shall bring?

Today while the blossoms still cling to the vine,
I’ll taste your strawberries, I’ll drink your sweet wine.
A million tomorrows shall all pass away, ‘ere I forget all the joy that is mine, today.
I can’t be contented with yesterday’s glory, I can’t live on promises winter to spring.
Today is my moment, now is my story, I’ll laugh and I’ll cry and I’ll sing.

Today while the blossoms still cling to the vine,
I’ll taste your strawberries, I’ll drink your sweet wine.
A million tomorrows shall all pass away, ‘ere I forget all the joy that is mine, today.

At the end of all the songs and reading, Camper of the Week was announced. I always wanted to be named Camper of the Week the last week of camp because it seemed so special to be called out of the sobbing crowd during final Vespers. As was tradition, the entire crowd would then stand, cross arms and hold hands, and sing taps:

Day is done
Gone the sun.
From the lakes
From the hills
From the sky

All is well
Safely rest.
God is nigh.

Then my parents and the campers of the week would begin to lead the way back to the main camp. The staff would follow them and would stand on either side of the path, with the torches and candles lighting the way. They would all be singing:

Goodnight, goodnight
Time sends a warning call
Sweet rest descends on all
Time, time sends a warning call. 

(I think I may have posted a different version of this song in my last post, this is the one we used during final Vespers.)

There were lots of tears and hugs as everyone made their way back to the tents and cabins to try to get some rest before their parents began arriving at 8:00 the next morning.

The impact that final Vespers had on me each summer, twice per summer, was immeasurable. I remember it like it was yesterday and each time I hear one of the songs it all comes flooding back. Recently, I’ve started singing the songs of final Vespers to my children (I’m sure my more than lovely voice is terribly soothing to them…ha). I may add the Desiderata to my bedtime ritual!

Unfortunately, I think I must have thought that the Upper Meadow and final Vespers would always be a part of my life because I absolutely cannot find any photos of either! If you have any that you’d care to share, please email them to me at alden@youretheheartofus.com !