A girl's death in Texas floods is her family's third loss this year. 3 mementos she left help her mom cope
It was a green-and-white beaded Camp Mystic necklace – a tribute to the legendary Christian girls' camp in the foothills of Texas' Hill Country where Blakely was going. It's the same camp her mother and other women in the family had attended and forged lifelong memories.
'I gave this necklace to my daughter right before camp, and I advised her that if she didn't want to lose it – because she's 8 years old, and of course, they lose jewelry – I told her to wear it … during the whole time at camp,' McCrory told CNN on Friday.
Blakely's new necklace served as a reminder of her mother's support at a time of immense loss. Blakely's father died from cancer in March. And just last month, she lost her uncle to illness.
But Camp Mystic was a haven where Blakely's grief gave way to joy.
'She was so excited, and it came at such a good time since she lost her daddy,' McCrory said. 'It was a way for her to just heal with that sisterhood and her faith and just all of the fun activities.'
Everything changed in the pre-dawn hours of July 4, when torrential rainfall and catastrophic flooding ripped through central Texas – claiming at least 135 lives, many near the Guadalupe River.
At Camp Mystic, the cabins with the youngest campers were closest to the river. Blakely, along with 26 other Camp Mystic girls and counselors, perished in the deluge – forcing her family to endure yet another unfathomable tragedy.
Despite the anguish, McCrory has found solace – thanks in part to letters that she received from Blakely after she died.
Finding her tribe
Even though Blakely was a new camper in a cabin full of strangers, she didn't seem nervous about going to camp. 'She loves the outdoors. She loves to fish, horseback ride,' her mother said.
In a letter to her mother, Blakely said camp was 'amazing.' She was looking forward to playing tennis, going horseback riding and trying other sports, she wrote.
The letter also said Blakely became a 'tonk' – something she had dreamed of.
Every new girl at Camp Mystic draws a slip that tells them which 'tribe' they belong to – the Tonkawa or the Kiowa tribe.
'The tribe traditions, which have been handed down since Mystic's beginning' in 1926, 'help to emphasize team spirit, fun competition and good sportsmanship' during games, Camp Mystic's website says.
'After each game, the losing tribe commends the winning tribe who, in turn, compliments the losing tribe. Campers from opposite tribes pair up after each game and go up to Chapel Hill to pray.'
Drawing a red slip meant the Tonkawa tribe. A blue slip signified the Kiowa tribe.
Blakely 'wanted to be a Tonk really badly,' her mom said. 'Her two cousins are both Tonks. … So she wanted to be a Tonk so she could compete with her cousins' tribe.'
The rituals instill 'sportsmanship and competition amongst the girls, which is so great for later on in life,' McCrory said.
After Blakely drew a red slip, 'she was just ecstatic,' her mother said.
In another letter, Blakely made an urgent request to her mother, who was getting ready to donate items because the family was preparing to move:
'PS. Please don't give my Barbie Dream house,' the 8-year-old scrawled on a colorful piece of paper.
McCrory didn't receive those letters until after Blakely died. But the scribbled request forced a smile onto the grieving mother's face.
'It's just funny how a little girl's mind works. And that's why I laughed when I got the letter, because I could just hear her writing her thoughts down,' McCrory said. 'And it was just funny. … It was so Blakely.'
'I dropped the phone on the table, shaking'
After sending Blakely off to camp, McCrory joined her sister and two nieces on a trip to Europe. It was the first such outing since the deaths of McCrory's husband, Blake, and her brother, Chanse McLeod – both within the last five months.
When news trickled in overseas about some flooding at Camp Mystic, McCrory had no idea how bad it was.
'We were on a boat, and when we docked for lunch, we received some text messages' – including one reporting flooding at Camp Mystic.
'And so what popped in my mind – because we didn't have all of the full reports of the 30-foot surge – (was) that it was like the flood in 1987, when I was a camper.'
Back then, 'you had to stay in your cabin for safety,' she said. 'They didn't want people walking in the mud and sliding around since there are so many hills. And they would bring food to us. And so that was what I first imagined it was.'
McCrory then lost cell service and didn't receive a call from Camp Mystic. Eventually, she gained access to her voicemails and heard a horrid message: Blakely was missing.
'I just dropped the phone on the table, shaking,' she said. 'I was frozen when I heard that voicemail.'
McCrory soon jumped on a plane back to Houston. At the same time, Blakely's half-brother and his mother scoured an evacuation center in Ingram, hoping to find Blakely.
For two days, the family waited in anguish as crews trudged through thick mud and debris searching for victims and survivors.
Then, on July 7, McCrory received the dreaded news: Blakely's body had been found. She was still wearing the Camp Mystic necklace her mom had given her – a piece of jewelry that helped identify her.
Immense gratitude amid the grief
For a widow who lost her husband, her only brother and her only daughter in just five months, McCrory is remarkably composed. She exudes an aura of calmness and even optimism.
McCrory chalks it up to her faith, her family and her support network – all of which have ties to Camp Mystic.
'My faith is so strong. Actually, I was a camper at Camp Mystic, and I felt so close to my faith attending there as a camper,' she said. 'We had lovely devotionals on the waterfront where the Guadalupe River is, in the mornings, and then in the evenings, on Sundays, we went to Chapel Hill. And just the sisterhood, the faith – it just really brought me closer.'
McCrory said she has learned how to cope after each tragedy and takes comfort in knowing her lost loved ones are together again.
'We lost my husband in March, and then my brother in June. So I think that prepared me for Blakely's loss,' she said. 'I'm coping very well. I have amazing love and support from people I know (and) from people I don't know. The mothers of the campers that were lost were on a group text, and were able to share stories and thoughts – and even funny moments.'
As she prepared for Blakely's funeral Friday, McCrory wore the beaded necklace that she had given her daughter. 'My good friends from high school had it extended so that I could wear it, so I would have a touchstone close to my heart,' she said.
She's also thankful for Blakely – and the fact that her final days were spent doing what she loved.
'She had the best time at camp. She went out on a happy note,' her mother said.
And as the water started to rise, a counselor made a keen observation: 'Blakely was encouraging her cabinmates to not be afraid,' McCrory said.
'She was always a leader, encouraging others. So in my heart, I know it happened fast. And I'm just so grateful the life that she lived was so happy.'
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17 hours ago
- CNN
The best food dehydrators for nutritious and delicious snacks
The best food dehydrators we tested: Best food dehydrator: Cosori Food Dehydrator As someone who tests kitchen appliances for a living, it takes a lot for any one gadget to impress me. I've cleaned, cracked open, and lived with everything from cocktail machines to multi-level air fryers and plenty of quirky tools and appliances in between. After all that testing, nothing has really changed my perspective on the way I cook or snack — until I tried a few of the best food dehydrators. I'll be honest, I scoffed at the idea of a food dehydrator before I tested one. Privileged with an endless array of apple chips in the CNN office, I couldn't fathom someone wanting a clunky device when it seemed so much easier to buy chips, jerky or other already-dehydrated culinary wonders. When my lineup of dehydrators arrived, with their bulky builds and spaceship-like designs, I was further convinced no one would have the real estate for one. But after hours of experimenting and turning out tray after tray of delicious and nutritious dried fruits, it clicked. These machines are surprisingly practical. They can preserve a wide variety of foods and unlock a new level of creativity in the kitchen. Now, I can easily elevate a Negroni with a dried orange slice, dry flowers for a craft, top off a parfait with a colorful array of dried strawberries and even make seasonings with dried herbs. To find the best food dehydrator, I put several top-rated models through side-by-side testing, evaluating how well they dried different types of produce and how easy they were to use and clean. One rose above the others as the best. Related article The best vacuum sealers in 2025, tested and reviewedCosori Food Dehydrator The Cosori Food Dehydrator could pass as the cousin of a toaster oven. It's incredibly user-friendly, yet powerful enough to dry up trays of dehydrated treats. I could easily "set it and forget it" to make delicious snacks at home without much thought, all with the push of a button. What made this dehydrator stand out was the easy-to-stack trays and ample space to dry whatever I threw at it. It's no secret that a food dehydrator takes up a lot of space. So, if you're going to invest in one, it should be powerful enough to dehydrate a range of treats without much hassle. I thought the Cosori Food Dehydrator was a versatile and user-friendly machine for food dehydrating newbies. With six spacious, dishwasher-safe trays made of food-grade stainless steel, it offered plenty of room to dry everything from sliced fruits and herbs to meat, vegetables and even homemade powders. The digital control panel is straightforward, with four clearly marked buttons to power the machine on or off, set the temperature (from 95 to 165 degrees Fahrenheit) and program the timer in 30-minute increments for up to 48 hours. The dehydrator also saves your previous settings, making repeated batches quicker and easier. One of my hesitations (and biggest fears) with using a dehydrator was the thought of it overheating — it's usually on for hours on end to properly dry what's inside. I'm talking roughly six or seven hours. Thankfully, the Cosori's automatic shut-off kicks on if or when the machine overheats. This gave me peace of mind during testing to leave it be on my kitchen counter, even if I needed to head out to run errands or anything. The Cosori food dehydrator is also FDA compliant and made with BPA-free materials—including mesh screens and fruit roll sheets that are perfect for drying delicate ingredients like berries, fresh herbs or blended fruit purées. In my hours spent drying fruits, the Cosori food dehydrator had the most practical and familiar build of all the appliances I tested. It reminded me of a toaster oven, with easy-to-remove trays and an LED panel. It wasn't a complex, plastic contraption that required much thought. It's just four buttons with plenty of trays and space that are very easy to clean. And most importantly, it properly dried everything I put into it. From apricots to strawberries and even kiwis, the Cosori got the job done. Whether you're prepping snacks for hiking, preserving garden herbs or experimenting with homemade fruit leathers, I think the Cosori will deliver reliable, even results every time. If you're a true food dehydrator pro, the Cosori comes with fun extras that will help you unlock new ideas. Every dehydrator comes with three fruit roll trays and a recipe book with an endless number of creative ideas. And it's all backed by a two-year warranty, making this dehydrator a strong choice for beginners and experienced home cooks alike. Food dehydrators come in many shapes and forms, and my hands-on testing made it easier to evaluate how each model performs side by side. To do so, I took a trip to Whole Foods and bought a range of fruits with various moisture levels. These included strawberries, apricots, apples, bananas, kiwis and oranges. I used a mandoline to evenly slice everything and took note of how each one turned out, cranking up the dehydrators to 145 degrees Fahrenheit for six hours. Through trial and error (and a goopy, failed batch of dried blueberries to clean up), I wound up with more dried treats than I could have imagined. I also found that the best results often require adjusting for your own kitchen environment. Here's what else I considered while testing: Installation and setup: I noted how easy (or difficult) the fryer was to get set up. Was it ready to use right out of the box, or did it require any extra steps to make it operational? Design: A food dehydrator is bound to take up space, but I looked for appliances that made the most out of the space available. I also kept my eye out for innovative features, ease-of-use and materials used, like stainless steel versus plastic. I also considered how each dehydrator would look if it were on display, because appearance does matter when you don't have much storage. Consistency and performance: In order to properly test each dehydrator's capability, I cut and dried a range of fruits — from apples, strawberries and bananas to apricots and kiwis. I arranged and dried a serving of each type of fruit in each appliance, taking note of how evenly everything cooked and how dry it came out. Versatility: I weighed how many modes and settings each dehydrator offered. Are these additional modes convenient or too much hassle to unlock? Ease of cleanup: How convenient is it to clean the trays? Did fruit stick to the crates? I considered how easy or difficult this was, as well as the post-drying cleaning process. A food dehydrator does exactly what it says it's going to do — dehydrate food. This concept has been around for centuries — even ancient man resorted to sun drying. But what makes this appliance so effective? It uses low heat and airflow to slowly dry out food, typically for six to eight hours. Food dehydrators can elevate meals in more ways than one. Just take it from the experts: 'Fruits, vegetables, and jerky are common staples, but in a professional kitchen or bar setting, dehydrators are also used to create powders, flavored salts, infused sugars and unique garnishes,' said LP O'Brien, award-winning mixologist, winner of Netflix's television series, 'Drink Masters' and now, Global Creative Director of Beverage at F1 Arcades. 'They're especially helpful in reducing waste and extending the life of seasonal ingredients in new and creative ways.' 'I love using a dehydrator to concentrate and transform flavors, whether it's creating a strawberry-basil powder for a cocktail rim, drying herbs to blend into garnishes or infused into oils, or making savory dusts for bar snacks,' she said. 'Dehydrating intensifies flavor while removing moisture, which allows you to infuse ingredients into other elements or finish a dish or drink with a pop of texture and aroma. It's one of the most versatile tools in both my kitchen and bar programs.' Here's how the process breaks down: Heat source: The dehydrator gently warms the air to a temperature usually between 90°F and 165°F, depending on the model and settings. Fan and ventilation system: A built-in fan circulates warm air evenly across the food placed on stacked trays or shelves. This airflow is key — it moves moisture-filled air away from the surface of the food and replaces it with dry air. Moisture removal: As the warm air continues to flow, water evaporates from the food and slowly reduces its moisture content, which can take anywhere from a few hours to over a day, depending on what you're drying and at what temperature. Preservation: Once dried, food becomes less hospitable to bacteria, giving it a longer shelf life without the need for preservatives or refrigeration. Presto 06301 Dehydro Digital Electric Food Dehydrator The Presto expandable dehydrator is a smart, space-saving appliance with intuitive controls and athe bility to dry everything from apple chips to basil. Although I'm not a fan of the plastic build, it's a solid, budget-friendly pick — especially for beginners or those with limited storage space. The Presto 06301 Dehydro Digital Electric Food Dehydrator immediately stood out for its expandable build and affordable price point. I found it to be an easy-to-use appliance equipped to handle everything from fruits and vegetables to herbs, spices and even homemade jerky or fruit leather. With consistent airflow and an easy-to-follow control panel, it offers a straightforward way to make healthy, shelf-stable snacks at home. The Presto comes with six drying trays and can be expanded to hold up to 12 (but the additional trays are sold separately), making it a flexible option for both small and large batches. The trays feature an innovative spiderweb design, which was unlike the familiar Cosori tray I loved, but I wasn't a fan of the fact that they were made from plastic. However, that's not to say the Presto isn't smart. There's also a built-in cord storage compartment that keeps everything tidy when not in use. The digital thermostat and timer gave me precise control over the drying process, with adjustable temperatures ranging from 90 to 165 degrees Fahrenheit. The buttons looked and felt a bit old-school to me now that I'm spoiled with digital touchscreens; however, it still got the job done. And like the Cosori, it shuts off automatically once the timer ends to prevent over-drying, which is especially helpful when processing more delicate ingredients like strawberries. The package also comes with two fruit roll sheets and two flexible, nonstick mesh screens, which allow for drying a range of food types, like blended fruit purées or chopped herbs. All trays and the cover are dishwasher safe, which made cleanup refreshingly easy, but again, they are all plastic. As much as I loved the space-saving Presto, I wasn't completely sold on the plastic construction. While the lightweight build and stackable design make it convenient and space-efficient, I found it less sturdy and less visually appealing than the stainless steel models I tested. Still, the Presto 06301 stands out for its efficient drying performance, compact storage and user-friendly features. For beginners or those short on counter space, it's a strong, well-priced option for diving into the world of food dehydration. Hamilton Beach Digital Food Dehydrator Similar to the Presto, the Hamilton Beach dehydrator has space-saving stackable trays and an easy-to-use panel. I appreciated the BPA-free trays that provide plenty of drying space, but I prefer a stainless steel unit. Either way, it's well-suited for everything from beef jerky and dried fruit to veggie chips and herbs. Like most other dehydrators I tested, the Hamilton Beach is a compact, efficient machine that makes it easy to create homemade snacks with no added sugar or preservatives. With five stackable, BPA-free trays and a uniquely rounded-rectangular build, it's well-suited for everything from jerky and dried fruit to chips and herbs. I found the digital controls to be straightforward and precise, especially on a sleek touchscreen. You can also set the temperature anywhere from 100 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit to match the food you're dehydrating, and once again, a built-in timer saves the day. It counts down from 1 to 48 hours and shuts off automatically, which is helpful for longer drying cycles when you don't want to constantly monitor it. Powered by a 500-watt base-mounted heater and quiet fan, the dehydrator delivers consistent, even airflow across all trays, so I didn't need to rotate my fragile dried fruits during use. After a seven-hour drying cycle, I found that the Hamilton Beach dried everything evenly, from apple slices to kiwis, without soggy spots. It also includes a mesh screen for more delicate food items (like herbs), and comes with a solid fruit leather tray for blended purées. The vented clear lid was a nice touch, too, since I could monitor the drying process without interrupting the airflow. And since the trays are all plastic, cleanup was simple: the trays and lid are dishwasher safe. Overall, the design looked and felt standard and compact, with nonslip silicone feet to keep it stable on the counter. Tinier than some gargantuan food dehydrators on the market, it also stores easily in a pantry and can fit comfortably under most kitchen cabinets. Cuisinart DHR-20P1 Food Dehydrator Perhaps the biggest and bulkiest food dehydrator I tested, the Cuisinart DHR-20P1 Food Dehydrator makes a statement. Although it offers a spacious and powerful solution for preserving everything from fruits to jerky, it also takes up the most room at a whopping 9.6 pounds, all without a timer. Talk about a powerhouse appliance. With 552 square inches of drying surface and a 620-watt motorized fan, this dehydrator delivers fast, efficient airflow to evenly dry food across five interlocking, stackable trays. All that to say, this hefty appliance was not expandable, meaning some of my thicker fruit slices wound up getting smashed between trays. Because of the rigid build (and thicker fruit slices), I noticed it was harder for heat to circulate. I also wasn't a fan of the adjustable thermostat with four settings: fan only, low, medium and high. I also felt a timer was missing, and would have preferred a panel or even a button to give me peace of mind. Nevertheless, I appreciated the interlocking trays that felt sturdier in place than other dehydrators I tested. Its range of temperature options made it versatile to dry a variety of foods, from apple slices to banana chips. The included fruit roll sheet added extra versatility for those who want to experiment with blended fruit purées as well. I do want to note that the fan runs quite loudly, so keep this in mind if you want something quiet. Like other dehydrators, the trays stack vertically, making it ideal for batch-drying large quantities of food. This helps reduce food waste and saves money on pricy, preservative-free snacks in the long run. If you want a durable, mid-sized dehydrator with solid power, capacity and control, this is a decent option. So long as you have a separate kitchen timer handy. The following questions were answered by LP O'Brien, award-winning mixologist and current Global Creative Director of Beverage of F1 Arcade. How long does food that has been dehydrated by a food dehydrator last? How long does food that has been dehydrated by a food dehydrator last? 'When properly dehydrated and stored in airtight containers, most dehydrated foods can last. anywhere from 6 months to a year. Low-moisture fruits and vegetables tend to last longer, especially if kept in cool, dark conditions.' What is the difference between freeze drying and dehydrating? What is the difference between freeze drying and dehydrating? 'Dehydrating uses heat and air to remove about 90–95% of moisture, while freeze drying uses a freezing and vacuum process to remove up to 99% of moisture. Freeze-dried foods often retain more of their original shape, flavor and nutritional value, but dehydrating is more accessible and energy efficient for everyday use.' For this article, we consulted the following expert for their professional insights. LP O'Brien is an award-winning Afro-Boricua mixologist. She won Netflix's 'Drink Masters' and is currently the Global Creative Director of Beverage of F1 Arcade. CNN Underscored's writers and editors thoroughly review all the products in our testing guides and provide full transparency about how we test them. We have a skilled team of writers and editors with many years of product testing experience who ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We include subject matter experts where necessary and always speak about the pros and cons of all tested products. For this article, associate testing writer Carolina Gazal spent hours slicing and drying fruits and analyzing features of different kinds of food dehydrators. Gazal loves to get her hands on the latest kitchen craze and has tested all types of appliances, from the best blenders to the best coffee grinders and even the best ice molds for cocktails.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
A girl's death in Texas floods is her family's third loss this year. 3 mementos she left help her mom cope
The last time Lindsey McLeod McCrory saw her daughter Blakely alive, the young girl was heading to camp wearing a simple yet profound necklace – one that would later reconnect Blakely to her mother after she died. It was a green-and-white beaded Camp Mystic necklace – a tribute to the legendary Christian girls' camp in the foothills of Texas' Hill Country where Blakely was going. It's the same camp her mother and other women in the family had attended and forged lifelong memories. 'I gave this necklace to my daughter right before camp, and I advised her that if she didn't want to lose it – because she's 8 years old, and of course, they lose jewelry – I told her to wear it … during the whole time at camp,' McCrory told CNN on Friday. Blakely's new necklace served as a reminder of her mother's support at a time of immense loss. Blakely's father died from cancer in March. And just last month, she lost her uncle to illness. But Camp Mystic was a haven where Blakely's grief gave way to joy. 'She was so excited, and it came at such a good time since she lost her daddy,' McCrory said. 'It was a way for her to just heal with that sisterhood and her faith and just all of the fun activities.' Everything changed in the pre-dawn hours of July 4, when torrential rainfall and catastrophic flooding ripped through central Texas – claiming at least 135 lives, many near the Guadalupe River. At Camp Mystic, the cabins with the youngest campers were closest to the river. Blakely, along with 26 other Camp Mystic girls and counselors, perished in the deluge – forcing her family to endure yet another unfathomable tragedy. Despite the anguish, McCrory has found solace – thanks in part to letters that she received from Blakely after she died. Finding her tribe Even though Blakely was a new camper in a cabin full of strangers, she didn't seem nervous about going to camp. 'She loves the outdoors. She loves to fish, horseback ride,' her mother said. In a letter to her mother, Blakely said camp was 'amazing.' She was looking forward to playing tennis, going horseback riding and trying other sports, she wrote. The letter also said Blakely became a 'tonk' – something she had dreamed of. Every new girl at Camp Mystic draws a slip that tells them which 'tribe' they belong to – the Tonkawa or the Kiowa tribe. 'The tribe traditions, which have been handed down since Mystic's beginning' in 1926, 'help to emphasize team spirit, fun competition and good sportsmanship' during games, Camp Mystic's website says. 'After each game, the losing tribe commends the winning tribe who, in turn, compliments the losing tribe. Campers from opposite tribes pair up after each game and go up to Chapel Hill to pray.' Drawing a red slip meant the Tonkawa tribe. A blue slip signified the Kiowa tribe. Blakely 'wanted to be a Tonk really badly,' her mom said. 'Her two cousins are both Tonks. … So she wanted to be a Tonk so she could compete with her cousins' tribe.' The rituals instill 'sportsmanship and competition amongst the girls, which is so great for later on in life,' McCrory said. After Blakely drew a red slip, 'she was just ecstatic,' her mother said. In another letter, Blakely made an urgent request to her mother, who was getting ready to donate items because the family was preparing to move: 'PS. Please don't give my Barbie Dream house,' the 8-year-old scrawled on a colorful piece of paper. McCrory didn't receive those letters until after Blakely died. But the scribbled request forced a smile onto the grieving mother's face. 'It's just funny how a little girl's mind works. And that's why I laughed when I got the letter, because I could just hear her writing her thoughts down,' McCrory said. 'And it was just funny. … It was so Blakely.' 'I dropped the phone on the table, shaking' After sending Blakely off to camp, McCrory joined her sister and two nieces on a trip to Europe. It was the first such outing since the deaths of McCrory's husband, Blake, and her brother, Chanse McLeod – both within the last five months. When news trickled in overseas about some flooding at Camp Mystic, McCrory had no idea how bad it was. 'We were on a boat, and when we docked for lunch, we received some text messages' – including one reporting flooding at Camp Mystic. 'And so what popped in my mind – because we didn't have all of the full reports of the 30-foot surge – (was) that it was like the flood in 1987, when I was a camper.' Back then, 'you had to stay in your cabin for safety,' she said. 'They didn't want people walking in the mud and sliding around since there are so many hills. And they would bring food to us. And so that was what I first imagined it was.' McCrory then lost cell service and didn't receive a call from Camp Mystic. Eventually, she gained access to her voicemails and heard a horrid message: Blakely was missing. 'I just dropped the phone on the table, shaking,' she said. 'I was frozen when I heard that voicemail.' McCrory soon jumped on a plane back to Houston. At the same time, Blakely's half-brother and his mother scoured an evacuation center in Ingram, hoping to find Blakely. For two days, the family waited in anguish as crews trudged through thick mud and debris searching for victims and survivors. Then, on July 7, McCrory received the dreaded news: Blakely's body had been found. She was still wearing the Camp Mystic necklace her mom had given her – a piece of jewelry that helped identify her. Immense gratitude amid the grief For a widow who lost her husband, her only brother and her only daughter in just five months, McCrory is remarkably composed. She exudes an aura of calmness and even optimism. McCrory chalks it up to her faith, her family and her support network – all of which have ties to Camp Mystic. 'My faith is so strong. Actually, I was a camper at Camp Mystic, and I felt so close to my faith attending there as a camper,' she said. 'We had lovely devotionals on the waterfront where the Guadalupe River is, in the mornings, and then in the evenings, on Sundays, we went to Chapel Hill. And just the sisterhood, the faith – it just really brought me closer.' McCrory said she has learned how to cope after each tragedy and takes comfort in knowing her lost loved ones are together again. 'We lost my husband in March, and then my brother in June. So I think that prepared me for Blakely's loss,' she said. 'I'm coping very well. I have amazing love and support from people I know (and) from people I don't know. The mothers of the campers that were lost were on a group text, and were able to share stories and thoughts – and even funny moments.' As she prepared for Blakely's funeral Friday, McCrory wore the beaded necklace that she had given her daughter. 'My good friends from high school had it extended so that I could wear it, so I would have a touchstone close to my heart,' she said. She's also thankful for Blakely – and the fact that her final days were spent doing what she loved. 'She had the best time at camp. She went out on a happy note,' her mother said. And as the water started to rise, a counselor made a keen observation: 'Blakely was encouraging her cabinmates to not be afraid,' McCrory said. 'She was always a leader, encouraging others. So in my heart, I know it happened fast. And I'm just so grateful the life that she lived was so happy.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Mom of 8-year-old killed in Texas floods speaks to CNN
Lindsey McLeod McCrory's 8-year-old daughter, Blakely, was attending Camp Mystic when she was killed in the devastating floods that hit Central Texas. McCrory remembers her daughter in an interview with CNN's Pamela Brown. Solve the daily Crossword
