Guadalupe Took My Little Girl Away
... my heart.
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One of the most heart-breaking stories of 2025 came out of Texas while the rest of the nation celebrated Independence Day. I'm not sure I'd ever heard of Hunt, Texas. Now, I'm not sure I'll ever forget it. The stories, the devastation, the apparent avoidability of the disaster were heart-breaking.
It made fresh again the pain and the loss the nation (outside of Washington DC) felt during the floods in North Carolina and West Virginia at the hands of Hurricane Helene. So much water, so little time, not enough warning, too many innocent lives.
And yet in the aftermath of both, good people - normal Americans - banded together to bring love and support to ravaged communities and families.
This piece is meant only to remember the tragic losses and the spontaneous heroism of that dreadful night in July of 2025.
Guadalupe Took My Little Girl
[Instrumental Intro]
[Verse 1]
I packed your bag with pink bows and sparkles bright
Sent you off to Mystic with a hug so tight
You waved from the car, your giggle filled the air
Dreamin' of campfires, songs, and friends everywhere
Guadalupe whispered soft beside your bed
Summer stars above your sleepy head
You danced in the daylight, fearless and free
My sweet little angel, only eight, just like me
[Chorus]
Oh, the river rose that night, cruel and cold
Took you from my arms, a story left untold
Guadalupe took my little girl away
Now I'm callin' out your name through endless rain
Why'd the waters have to steal your light?
I close my eyes and see your smile each night
My heart's forever broken, worlds apart
Guadalupe took my little girl... my heart
[Verse 2]
I hear your laughter echo in the wind
Twirlin' in the meadows where the wildflowers bend
You loved the horses, the songs 'round the fire
Your contagious joy set every soul on fire
That storm came silent in the dead of night
No time to run, no chance to hold you tight
The cabins trembled as the darkness roared
And heaven gained the brightest soul it could afford
[Chorus]
Oh, the river rose that night, cruel and cold
Took you from my arms, a story left untold
Guadalupe took my little girl away
Now I'm callin' out your name through endless rain
Why'd the waters have to steal your light?
I close my eyes and see your smile each night
My heart's forever broken, worlds apart
Guadalupe took my little girl... my heart
[Bridge]
I place a cross by the riverbank with flowers in bloom
Whisper prayers to the heavens, beggin' God for you soon
The pain don't fade, it lingers like the rain
But in my dreams, you're dancin' once again
[Final Chorus (Soft, fading)]
Oh, the river rose that night... but you're safe in His hold
My precious little girl, more precious than gold
Someday I'll hold you where no waters rise
Till then, my angel, light up the skies
Guadalupe took my little girl that day
But love like ours... no flood can wash away
[Outro]
My little girl... my heart... forever.
[Instrumental Outro]
This is original work is produced by AK Darvinson with a combination of observation, critical thinking, insight, heart, compassion, passion, creativity, and technology. All rights are reserved. Free sharing is encouraged. Commercial use via license only.
Echoes of Laughter Lost: The Tragic Flooding at Camp Mystic
Posted on December 27, 2025
In the heart of Texas Hill Country, where the Guadalupe River winds through rolling hills and ancient oaks, Camp Mystic has stood for generations as a sanctuary for young girls. Founded in 1926 as a Christian summer camp, it was a place of innocent joy—campfires crackling under starry skies, songs of faith echoing through the cabins, and friendships forged in the simple magic of childhood. But on the night of July 3-4, 2025, that idyllic world shattered in an instant, swept away by a merciless flash flood that claimed 27 lives and left an indelible scar on families, communities, and the nation.
I write this not as a detached observer, but as someone whose heart aches for the stories of those lost and those who survived. The Camp Mystic tragedy wasn't just a headline; it was a tapestry of human lives—vibrant, promising, and heartbreakingly cut short. Let us remember them, not as statistics, but as the daughters, sisters, and heroes they were.
The Night the River Rose
It began with rain—torrential, unrelenting downpours that dumped up to 15 inches in mere hours across Kerr County. What started as a typical summer storm escalated into catastrophe as the Guadalupe River swelled beyond imagination. Floodwaters surged through the camp in the dead of night, catching everyone off guard. Survivors later recounted hearing screams piercing the darkness, the water rising so swiftly that cabins were torn from their foundations and swept downstream.
The flooding hit earlier than forecasts predicted, leaving little time for evacuation. Camp co-owners and staff scrambled in the chaos, but the force of nature was unforgiving. Nearby, at Camp La Junta for boys, similar horrors unfolded, with young campers like 9-year-old Braeden Davis and his 7-year-old brother Brock clinging to life amid the raging currents. Their survival stories—of being pulled from the water by rescuers—offer glimmers of hope amid the devastation. But at Camp Mystic, the toll was staggering: 27 souls lost, mostly young girls and their devoted counselors, part of a broader disaster that claimed over 130 lives across central Texas.
The Faces Behind the Tragedy
It's the personal stories that pierce the soul. Take Hanna and Rebecca Lawrence, 8-year-old twin sisters from Dallas, full of giggles and boundless energy. They were inseparable, sharing dreams of horses and adventures. Their 14-year-old sister, Harper, miraculously survived, but the family was forever fractured. "They were our light," their parents shared in a tearful interview, their voices breaking as they described the unimaginable pain of losing two children at once.
Then there's Chloe Childress, a 19-year-old counselor and recent graduate of Alamo Heights High School. Chloe was the epitome of youthful promise—kind, spirited, and dedicated to mentoring the girls under her care. She had just begun her adult life, with college on the horizon, when the flood took her. Her family remembers her as a "beacon of joy," always putting others first. Similarly, Katherine Ferruzzo, another counselor, gave her all to the camp she loved, only to be claimed by the same ruthless waters.
Mary Kathryn Jacobe, just 8 years old, was one of the few Black girls at the camp, her bright smile lighting up every room. Her loss sparked waves of grief across communities, with tributes pouring in from friends and strangers alike. And 9-year-old Lila Bonner from Dallas, described by loved ones as "fearless and full of wonder," whose absence leaves a void that words can't fill.
These weren't just victims; they were dreamers, believers, and the future. Their stories remind us of the fragility of life, especially in places meant to nurture and protect.
Heroes in the Storm
Amid the sorrow, tales of heroism emerge like rays of light. Ainslie Bashara, a counselor at Camp Mystic, saved 16 girls by guiding them through the floodwaters to higher ground. In a later interview, she spoke humbly of the terror: "We held hands, prayed, and kept moving. I just wanted to get them safe." Her bravery, along with that of other staff and first responders, saved countless lives. Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick highlighted these acts on national television, calling them "miracles in the midst of madness."
Rescuers from across the state braved the currents, pulling survivors from debris-strewn rivers. One father, hailed as a "hero dad," sacrificed himself to save his family nearby, his story echoing the selflessness seen throughout the disaster. These individuals didn't seek glory; they acted out of love and instinct, embodying the best of humanity in its darkest hour.
The Ripples of Grief and Change
The aftermath has been a whirlwind of sorrow and scrutiny. Families gathered at makeshift memorials along the riverbank, placing crosses and flowers where laughter once rang out. Parents of missing children, like those of an 8-year-old girl still unaccounted for months later, called the camp's decision to reopen "unthinkable," their voices raw with unresolved pain.
Politically, the tragedy spurred action. President Trump visited the site, pledging federal aid and meeting with grieving families and rescuers. He spoke of the loss, noting even a "powerful person" among the fallen, though details remain unclear. In Texas, Governor Abbott faced criticism for the response, leading to the resignation of FEMA's acting administrator and the formation of investigative committees. The Texas House passed HB 256, imposing stricter safety penalties on camps, including better emergency alerts and evacuation protocols—changes born from tragedy, aimed at preventing future heartbreak.
Lawsuits followed, with families seeking accountability from camp owners who reportedly delayed alerts. Yet, beyond the legal battles, it's the human cost that lingers: communities rallying with fundraisers, vigils, and counseling, trying to heal wounds that may never fully close.
A Call to Remember and Reflect
As we close out 2025, the Camp Mystic flooding stands as a somber reminder of nature's power and our shared vulnerability. But more than that, it's a testament to the enduring spirit of those we lost and those who carry on. To the families forever changed, know that your loved ones' stories touch hearts far beyond Texas. Their laughter, though silenced, echoes in the lessons we've learned: to cherish every moment, to prepare better, and to hold one another closer.
In memory of Hanna, Rebecca, Chloe, Katherine, Mary Kathryn, Lila, and all the others—may their light guide us toward safer tomorrows. If you're reading this and feel moved, consider donating to flood relief funds or supporting camp safety initiatives. Together, we honor them by building a world where such tragedies become relics of the past.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/campmysticfloodrecovery
‘Outpouring of love’: Fort Worth girls raise over $64K for Camp Mystic
Texas twins raise $10K through lemonade stand for Camp Mystic
https://www.newsnationnow.com/good-news/texas-twins-10k-lemonade-camp-mystic/
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