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Morning — it’s Clay.

No time today, let's get into it! 🔥

Late, Tired, and Thankful Anyway

I had a completely different article planned for today. But I didn’t have time to write it because I spent the weekend chaperoning a church youth group retreat.

It was a great weekend. I got to spend time outdoors, eat some surprisingly good food, and connect with a few other parents. Now, the sleep situation was a different story—let’s just say the mattresses were more about character-building than comfort.

When I got home Sunday afternoon, I figured I’d still have plenty of time to finish writing. Instead, I had to unpack and then head straight to Target to get stuff for my daughter’s sixth-grade science project: a hot chocolate taste test.

That experiment turned into a full-blown family event; my parents, siblings, and in-laws all showed up to act as guinea pigs. The night ended with s’mores roasted over the fire pit (for the second time in 48 hours).

So now it’s Monday morning. I’m writing this while my kids are supposed to be getting ready for school, but are actually trying to weasel their way into a little screen time—I can hear my wife sticking to her guns.

I could be annoyed.

I could be frustrated that this project I care deeply about, Campfire Gentleman, didn’t get the attention it deserved this weekend. I could be irritated with myself for not carving out enough time. I could even be annoyed that my son insisted I go on this trip, or that my wife didn’t tell me about the hot chocolate extravaganza before we left (she almost certainly did).

But instead, I’m grateful.
Because that’s the whole point of Campfire Gentleman.

If I feel a little rushed or unprepared on a Monday morning because my son wanted to spend the weekend with me in the woods, sharing a connection with his friends and with God,
I’m grateful.

If I got to spark a new friendship with another dad and laugh by the fire with my son’s friend’s grandmother,
I’m grateful.

If I got to stand around a backyard fire with my brother, sipping hot chocolate and talking about how terrible of an owner Jerry Jones is (under the guise of science),
I’m grateful.

And if I got to see the depth of my wife’s love for our kids and her investment in their education,
I’m grateful.

So this morning, I may be tired and a little behind, but I’m exactly where I want to be—grateful, unpolished, and reminded why I started Campfire Gentleman in the first place.

Until next time—
keep the fires burning.
– Clay

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