Spreadin' the Joy!

[grant whipp]

I'd like to share this (slightly edited) quote from a note I just received regarding a couple's first ever attendance at a teardrop gathering, that just happened to be this past 19th Dam Gathering:

My wife and I have been married for nearly 37 years, and I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen her so engaged and animated. It was so joyful to see how she unfolded in the presence of the truly fine people at the gathering. All the way home, she chattered on about what colors the bedspread was going to be, how to make the curtains, etc. I’ve been involved in a lot of groups like this to a certain extent, but this is the first one that feels like home, and I will do everything in my power to spread the joy ...

Folks ... this has absolutely nothing to do with me or my gathering ... but absolutely everything to do with YOU and the atmosphere that you create at these events or when you are simply out there camping by yourselves. It is the entire Teardrop Community that is reaching out and touching, engaging, even changing, lives where ever you go! That's one helluv an honor ... and responsibility! I'm proud, honored, and humbled to be a small part of this community ... you've done (and are doing) good, Folks! Please don't stop ... or let it diminish ... let's just keep those teardrops & tiny trailers a'rollin' ... and spreadin' the joy!

As always ...

CHEERS!

[Oldragbaggers]

Those are some fine words, Grant. A very special and unique community of people indeed. Thanks for sharing that with us. It makes me want even more to get my trailer done so we can get out there and start experiencing that camaraderie with all these fine folks ourselves.

The other great thing is that when a people are influenced like that by kindness, friendship and shared joy, they tend to pass it on to the next person they meet so the ripple effects can be far reaching.

[kirkman]

[pete42]

Grant I started camping back in 1964.
I can not recall every asking to look inside a motor home
I can remember asking several tear drop owners if I could have a peek
all were glad and even proud to let me look.
It takes a special kind of person to use a tear drop I too would like to say I'm glad
to be a very small part of this site.

pete

[DragonFire]

I started camping in 1966. That was when Mom did too. I was a baby..and went on many more campouts. Mom just went on that first one, one when I was 14 just after my Dad died, and the 19th Dam Gathering. It was the first time with a trailer for either one of us. Mom was really worried about how camping would be...but she loved the Dam Gathering and the wonderful people there. I camped in a spot that I thought would give her some privacy and be close to the restrooms so she could get used to the idea of camping...and it worked.

But what really got Mom into camping was the friendly people she met at the Dam. She kept talking about how much fun she was having..and how she was looking forward to next year..asking who would be at other campouts we are attending...she's hooked on camping now thanks to all the wonderful people at the Dam. She is so enthusiastic! I think it's given her a new hobby...and she loves my new toy (the Grasshopper) even more now..

The Dam Gathering was full of joy...I've told others here that I want to go back to 'Planet Teardrop'..that wonderful alternate universe we all visited for a few days..I keep thinking about it and try to keep those happy camper thoughts going and hopefully the joy will spread to others...

Thank you Grant for giving us the opportunity to get together and live on 'Planet Teardrop' for a few days...you have made a difference in people's lives just by providing the opportunity to camp together. Your attitude set the pace for the Gathering...so we all came away Happy Campers!

[Maureenm]

I wholeheartedly agree with all of the above! I went to my first gathering last August and did not know a single person there prior to going. It really was an amazing experience and all I could think of was "why didn't I discover this sooner?"
Anyway, I am looking forward to my first full camping season with my tear, starting Memorial Day weekend.
I will see some of you folks at IRG.

[canned o minimum]

Nobody.. nowhere.. no how.. can come close to a teardropper when it comes to hospitality,comradory,character,trustworthyness,and jus down to earth good clean fun.

I went to my first gathering a fewe years ago and was SO impressed with the "people" that I decided to stay a while ! All the aforementioned attributes are a common thread with teardrop folks !

Grant's first post was nuthin surprisin to me at all.. it was MUCH like my own first experience !

I think we all should be proud to be called teardroppers ...

[sagebrush]