storytimewithjoe | GWW 2012

War is heck. That’s just all there is to it. I’m sunburned. I have blisters on my blisters. And I think I’ve discovered a few new muscles because they are all achy. Clearly this means one thing and one thing only – Great Western War must be over.

Now that all is said and done, I can freely admit one little secret – I was NERVOUS AS ALL HECK going into this Great Western War. Why? Well, for several reasons. As our first war as Barons of Gyldenholt, I just didn’t know how things would work out. Would we properly represent our people? Would we give them enough to believe in? Would we be able to inspire? Would we show enough appreciation? Now add on one more thing – we’d never camped in the Gyldenholt camp before. In previous years, we had always been in the neighboring camp of La Familia. Switching roles with our predecessors, we had the additional pressure of realizing that some of the stuff we were used to from the previous camp would not necessarily be around. So we had all kinds of things going on – new dynamics, different people in different roles, and so many unknowns.

So how did it all turn out? FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seriously, as anal-retentive, and picky, and precise as I often can get, I was so very happy with the camp, the people, the layout, the memories, the laughs, and more than a few weeping-from-sheer-delight. I am so very humbled by the people of Gyldenholt – truly. They really do want to function as a family, as a team, and as a group. And all I can say is that I am truly grateful. I am grateful for the roads paved by our predecessors to get us to this point. I am grateful for the enthusiasm of our newer folks who just want to see us all grow. I am grateful for the spirit of cooperation and assistance. Seriously – I think some of the most common words spoken in the camp this time around were, “hey, do you need any help?” “here, have some water,” and “thank you”.

Gyldenholt may mean “golden groves”, but the real gold is the people.