Monday started out as a normal Monday, but it wasn't too long into camper arrival that everything seemed to start falling apart. All of a sudden it seemed everyone of my female campers decided to show up all at the same time! On top of that, I had people unhappy with the cabin they received, unhappy that they weren't with their best friend- it was crazy! Normally I'm not the type to just up and change the cabin assignments at the last minute, but suddenly i was faced with probably needing to in a couple cases. Then two of us, me and one of my administrators, started making decisions and filling each other in later... which didn't seem to work at first- only added to the confusion. Then on top of that, I had two campers show up that weren't even supposed to come that week!! So while trying to put out fires with cabin assignment drama, I had to work with another one of my administrators to turn down the people who had shown up because we didn't have any room at all for the campers to stay. I've never been so turned around, inside out, and confused during a camper arrival!!! Thankfully though, it all eventually got worked out and we moved on and had an excellent day!
That afternoon though, I received some information that I knew would one day come but still took my breath away. Last summer I had a camper in my cabin that at first I wasn't too sure about. She intimidated me-as strange as that sounds, but after the first day of having her, something between us clicked and I ended up ADORING her. She was an older camper, had lung cancer from years of smoking and you had to yell three times before she ever heard you. She had three seizures that week. Which ended up confining her to a room in the cabin. When we went in to see her it was almost like visiting the hospital where your dying grandmother was lying. That Friday putting her in her van to go home was one of the hardest things we ever had to do. I still remember to this day walking away with tears running down my cheeks knowing that I probably just saw her for the last time as a camper. Well, Monday several women from her group home came and one of them pulled aside a coworker of mine and informed her that Sweet Miss Bertha passed away. I can't begin to describe to you the pain and the emotion that washed over me. She died just two weeks ago which is interesting because I just looked for her obituary just four weeks ago.I've never lost a camper before. My heart still aches to know I won't see Bertha again until the Lord returns. I miss her greatly and her memory will live with me for the rest of my life. I adored that woman.
On Tuesday, I noticed that a camper, whom I love, was giving her counselor some trouble. This is not unusual- she tends to be stubborn and insist on her own way and will not hesitate to tell you she is not happy and she wants to call her parents and tell on you or that she is going to write you up. She loves to do crafts and telling her that she can't do crafts is just out of the question to her. Well, I noticed this was going on so I walked over to help the counselor out since the camper, Sallye, and I have worked through differences before and she seems to love me and sometimes I can even get her to listen to me. Tuesday was not one of those days. I walked over and started talking to her and her anger only started to elevate. I began to get tired of the "game" we were playing so I finally got firm and told her to come with me. She noticed at that moment that her cup from canteen (snack time at camp) was on the table in front of her- still full of ice and just a little bit of Coke in the bottom. When she stood I thought I had won and told her to go throw her trash away and to follow me. No sooner did I turn my body sideways toward her, I felt a sudden cold and wet feeling on the side of my face. I had coke and ice running down my face and shirt. Thanks Sallye! It was almost like a scene out of a movie. Later that day I walked into her cabin just to hang out and see how things were. I looked at her and said; "Hey Sallye, my face is really sticky." She replied with; "Whew! I wonder who did that!" I about died laughing. "I wonder Sallye." I said. "Probably a ghost!" I no longer could hold my composure. Only Sallye would say something like that. It was so funny.
Wednesday afternoon I had the opportunity to go back to the old camp and see it. I haven't been there since my last day the summer of '08. I was so sad to walk through the old camp. Everything was left just as they had left it in '09, except for everything is now overgrown, someone came in and stole all the copper from every building and all the insulation has fallen through the ceilings. My heart ached to see a place full of so many wonderful memories so neglected. Walking through and remembering things I haven't thought of since that summer. So so sad.
Thursday rolled around and we were all tired and ready for the weekend, but something happened that afternoon that boosted my spirits. I was able to witness a counselor and a camper connect-truly connect. Its something pretty special when you connect with a camper. There is an unconditional love and understanding between the two that surpasses what words can express. The camper eventually included me in the conversation that was playing out between the two of them. He was very repetitive- continually telling Andy and me that he loved us and that he wanted us to always love him and write him notes. Reminding us that we didn't like it when he had tears running down his face. (he had cried earlier in the week) One of the sweetest campers ever. And just precious being able to see that connection between Andy and Houston.
I can't believe tomorrow starts the last half of the summer. Just four more weeks! Where has this summer gone?? I'm looking so forward to this week!! Can't wait to see the new adventures that await just beyond today. How much better can it get? I'm in Paradise!!!
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