JUNE 19, 2006

Dear Friends,

Checkmate! The word comes from the Persian shah mat, meaning "the King is dead." While I love the game of chess, I probably hold the title of the Worse Chess Player in the Universe. I confess I seldom get to say "checkmate," I more often hear those words from my opponent - unskilled though they may be. Defeated though often I am, still, I love the game.

After each challenge I sit on a chair with my chin in my hands, staring at the board, pondering the final move of the game, repeatedly asking myself how this could happen; how could I be captured again? Sometimes the game can be frustrating, for some, it is brutal and complex, but far more often, even when you play it as I do, chess proves to be both surprising and delightful. It is, I am convinced, much like life. Throughout the year, we of REACH empower the children and their families with love and hope and with courage. We look for good moves that will encourage and bring delight to them; we urge them to carry those very things into their world.

REACH exists to bring into the lives of hurting children the delight and joy and beauty - even whimsy that God has designed us to experience. With great respect, I say that life for our families that often struggle against social prejudices and grow weary with the requirements caused by disease can resemble a game of chess - structured yet surprising; difficult on some levels, victorious on others. Checkmate! "The King is dead." The phrase sounds somber and horrible but I say it depends on the King's name: the King of fear dies under the brilliant move of grace; the King of loneliness is cornered by the crowd of faithful supporters; the power of the King of shame is stripped away by the dignity and the value of God.

Joseph, 14 years old states, "REACH is an amazing experience in a larger family, I feel safe and loved, for REACH has shown me there is hope and a full life, the future is brighter than ever."

And 16 year old Alice states, "You all have helped us know that we are not alone and if something negative does arise we have our REACH family to turn to for support and comfort."

This coming Labor Day week Joseph and Alice want to attend camp. We will bring 206 children and their families together for a camping experience free of the battles of the game of life. I will, with my chin in my hand, look out onto the landscape of the ranch, and see at that moment that we exist to provide delight, and joy, and beauty - even whimsy into the lives of the children in hope of a better future. There will be no checkmate, no end game, for we will all win and stand in wonder.

Blessings on your head,

Susan K. Slonaker