Althea’s Pearls

As we enter our 27th season, we enter a new phase of existence for Willowbrook. Althea has retired! She will no longer occupy her accustomed chair, sorting out staff dilemmas, praising each child’s gift of artwork, and creating fantastic costumes from scraps, bits and bobs—at least not all of the time. Retirement has never meant the same thing to Althea that it means to most of us, and it is doubtful that anything can drag her away entirely from Willowbrook, her finest creation. She will continue to be present at camp many days, providing counsel to staff and children, guiding the costuming details for plays and performances, but without some of the less creative tasks of Willowbrook operation.

For so many years, Althea has written this brief letter to parents and staff for the Willowbrook brochure, and we have been blessed with many pearls of her wisdom. We choose this year of transition to celebrate some of those words that most define Willowbrook’s soul and mission.

“When we were children our imaginations took us everywhere. Imagination is the necessary ingredient for fully understanding our world. It is the creative source of our lives and the necessary component of all profound knowing and engagement with life. Willowbrook is a community where children may develop the
confidence to express themselves uniquely.”

“The arts are the daily yeast of life that leavens the joys and challenges. Life maintains a balance when we can express ourselves through music and movement, painting and forming clay, writing and acting out the human experiences we share with others.” “The arts heal the spirit, they open us to the higher powers of our minds and widen our horizons. When we create, it is an act of the spirit and a gift to others.”

Whether or not Althea is here in person, her philosophy endures all around us at the beginning and ending of every Willowbrook day, and throughout our busy years.

“To all things there is a beginning and ending. We measure years on paper, but what do they mean in human terms of life, the joys, sorrows, laughter, song, work and play. Each of us in our time can bring joy, laughter and peace through understanding and caring for all those who participate with us in our journey.”

“Peace through the arts is a unifying force for understanding and life-giving love. It is on this premise that Willowbrook came into being. If we expect the world to be a more fulfilling place for humanity, we must begin with children. We must nurture and protect their inner spirit of faith and joy in life.”

And the most defining words of all:
"Willowbrook is a small seed we plant today for our belief in tomorrow."