Poised to jump into the best summer of his life.
I got to see so many boys today that I know and love. Two of my nephews are here (cousin power!!!), kids from my hometown of Gainesville, FL are here. A whole slew of midwest, Mexican, and Colorado-and-beyond-boys I’ve known since they were *this high,* are here. It absolutely amazes me how much these guys grow at this age. I’m talking FEET here, people. And the voices. They leave as boys and come back a year later with beards. Seriously. It happens.
We keep all this growing happening with the most amazing food. Thanks to our nutrition team of Lois Craig (head chef) and Sharon Bachmann (meal planner) these boys eat amazingly well. Did you know we do it old style here at Highlands? (I know this shocks you, 110 years later) The noon meal is called “dinner,” and the evening meal is “supper.” And we must be half Hobbit, because we have two breakfasts, starting with hot and cold cereal and yogurt bar, followed by a hot breakfast like pancakes, French toast, eggs and more. No one goes hungry at camp, no matter how picky.
While your boys were off having a blast at activities this morning, Andy B. and I were dropping our second-born off at girls camp for the first time.
Woah.
I’m ok, thanks for asking.
I have to admit, I was glad I had some big, dark sunglasses for the event. But it went really well. Partially because of an email I received last night from one of our Highlands moms, Sara Reed. Sara’s a first-timer, just like I am. And her words had me weeping at 11:30 p.m. as I answered my last email last night.
Sara, thank you so much for allowing me to share your fortifying words (my idea, not her’s!). I’m thrilled, awed and amazed my daughter is “at the right place, in the right time that one brave boy [girl!] is poised to have the time of his [her] life. HIS [HER] life.”
By Sara Reed, first-time camp mom to a boy in cabin 18
One very brave and excited boy chose one weepy Papa to walk him to the plane.
One very brave and excited boy kissed his sisters *on the lips* and told them that he loved them. Sisters were brave enough not to register the shock. Later, they said, “That’s the first time he kissed me OR told me that he loved me!” Their delight was evident.
One stinky, grumpy five year-old boy announced that he was glad that the brave boy was leaving. Then, he pouted all day and announced he does not like “so much girls at ‘diss house.”
One brave boy called approximately eleven hundred times on his phone. He’s in bunk #18. The lake is cool, it’s 7 miles long and his counselor is named Ben but he has NO idea where Ben is from. It’s very pretty here and not too hot. Lots of trees and he likes it. He ate all of the candy and chips we gave him for the plane. He saved the free cookies from the plane for his Papa.
One excited sister moved promptly into the brave boy’s room to take advantage of the larger bed. More stuffed animals can fit, you see. The girl was scolded by one Mama who was ready to clean and purge that room. Mama cleaned. Girl skulked and was moody about missing brother.
Mama told the brave boy about the mess in his room. He laughed and said, “I’m too far away for you to tell me to clean it! You do it your way!”
One boy, released into the world and into his life…to the right place…at the right time said, “I am so excited. A little nervous, but SO excited. Thank you for letting me come to camp! I love you!”
One Papa continued to weep intermittently all day and into the evening. But all told, he did not cry as much as the day that the brave boy was born – when he managed to sob for hours straight, and sobbed at record amounts. Papa announces he cannot live without his boy; however, Papa manages to appear as though currently alive and registers all vitals.
“Our boy is gone! I hope he’s okay!” announced the Papa. “Our boy is HAPPY! And he’s okay!” announced the Mama.
Three siblings, briefly un-moored by the temporary loss of their leader, renegotiated their tethers…with the now-oldest announcing, “I am the oldest available sibling now and you have to do what *I* say!”
One great-grandmother called to say she was proud of the parents and thrilled to have seen her oldest great-grandchild have his first out-of-the-home experience. One Mama was filled up with joy at the approval of her greatest Mama-mentor and true love.
One lovely fellow-first-time-Mama (who may also have felt a little anxious) texted to share, “I saw him, he looks happy. He is in the bunk with mine and all seems good. They’re okay!”
One Mama took a celebratory nap, cleaned the boys’ room, drank the best wine in the house, took the beloved brave boys’ calls, chided the Papa and knew that above all else: at the right place, in the right time that one brave boy is poised to have the time of his life. HIS life.
Does anyone have a Kleenex?
And on that note…
I ❤ CH // tracy b.