I am honored to share my first blog post on Shoe Prints…I hope you enjoy ~Chris

We’ve wrapped up the first week of Base2Summit 2025. Like all the programs, each has its own unique identity-but this one was especially meaningful for me! Whenever we approach anything worthwhile doing there’s a certain set of expectations that we have, outcomes we think will happen; and then there’s reality. In this program I truly learned how to hold space for two completely opposite thoughts and emotions, “joy and sorrow”  and also “community and isolation”.

When Karen and I head up to Base2Summit we are a big part of the set-up crew, along with my BIL Ron who is my wingman. We typically pick up the U-haul and head to the storage unit (aka the Valentine’s Blue Barn) to meet with some volunteers to load our MANY bins that house all the things we need for a camp week. Many of those supplies have been donated by you! Soon after, we head up to the B2S house on Green Lake in Interlochen to unload the U-Haul. Once the truck is unloaded and some of the heavy lift is done,  we head back to Cadillac. Most often, I head home for the week to work and return 7 days later for breakdown. This year was different, I decided to work remotely because the Valentine cottage was empty and Karen was staying to support Base2Summit in the kitchen. 

I have often prayed to God to have some time to myself, in solitude, a quiet place to spend time in God’s Word, prayer, and silence to try and hear God’s voice; here was that moment! I wish I could say that I recognized it right away, I did not.  Instead, I focused on being alone, eating alone, sleeping alone, and working alone, all that alone can be hard. It felt lonely instead of peaceful…until Sunday, Father’s Day. 

As you may remember, last fall we instituted the “family guest chefs”. The purpose of this tweak in programming was twofold, to give the kitchen staff a rest and to talk about Cassie and how CHSCF got started. Sunday morning, I set out to meet Karen at the Base2Summit house oh Green Lake and prepare an Asian Feast for 15 participants and staff. When I arrived there it was just Karen, recipes, ingredients, and cutting boards-so we got to work. We talked and laughed which was good for both of our souls.

Within a few hours, the participants were back after their excursion and the house was full of  energy. You could feel the connection between them in a few short days and they all seemed excited to meet “Cassie’s dad”. I immediately felt part of their family; it was just what I needed after so much time alone.

I mentioned it was Father’s Day… the first time in thirteen years I was spending it “with” Cassie and her dream of a camp. After dinner, I was blessed to sit around a bonfire sharing stories about Cassie; her life and her legacy. Seeing what she loved, camp with cancer survivors her age, through their eyes was special.

If you know me, my emotions are something I don’t try to hide; lighting the B2S candle  and talking directly to Cassie really hit me hard. Again… It’s Father’s Day!  I’m not with my other two kids- I’m here with Cassie-talk about overwhelming!!!

I hadn’t felt Cassie’s presence that much in such a long time! To comprehend all that has changed and all that has been done since she  went home to be with the Lord. The fifteen faces looking at me with a mixture of empathy, compassion, and understanding, told me all that I needed to know, Cassie’s presence is felt here! There it was- the joy of seeing Cassie’s spirit come to life in their faces as they were becoming reenergized to embrace life. Believe me, I was in awe and felt extreme sadness knowing Cassie was not one of them physically in the circle. All of this emotion, alongside the pride of seeing what she started-her  legacy of adventure, wellness, and connection being played out right in front of my eyes. It  was heartbreaking, humbling, and encouraging all at the same time. I will always miss her and I will always be proud of her vision. 

I drove back to the cottage in Cadillac that night alone,  much of it in silence. Thanking God for allowing me to be a part of something so amazing, to feel her presence and  grow in ways that I never dreamt were possible. In many ways Cassie’s dream has given my life purpose.

I spent the rest of the week doing what I should have done from the start, in gratitude for all the life lessons, for the people that make Base2Summit possible, soaking in God’s Word, and asking for His wisdom and guidance as we make some big decisions for CHSCF. We must remember as we grow, God is at the center of Base2Summit and He is working through Cassie’s legacy and through people like you and me. 

We have our Base, and we now move 2-wards our Summit!

Many Blessings, 

Chris 

*We forgot to take a group pic when I was there so here’s a few snapshots of the fun!!!