Monday Memories

Monday Memories: Did I ever tell you This ? Last summer at about this same time I had to drop the children off at their respective camps for a week. #1 Son did music and drama. LLB did an outdoor explorer camp. I left them both in the care of people about whom I knew nothing. I was a tad nervous. How would they fare without me? Would LLB stay organized? Would #1 Son make friends? Would they remember to shower and brush their teeth? What about the bed time snuggle?? What would happen if it thundered?? Alas, I walked away when the counselors said it was time to go. I thought about them both while they were gone, but I didn't worry as I thought I would. As the pick-up time approached I was excited to see them both and how well they had done without mom. I found that they missed each other more than they had missed me - In many ways, I found that comforting. They had seen each other across the dining hall, but hadn't been able to do much more than wave hello. Just being on the same campus made them both feel at least somewhat connected. That doesn't mean they weren't bickering in the car on the way home, mind you. I picked up two children who had changed in ways I still find difficult to describe. He grew and stretched and became the popular kid he always wanted to be. He was rewarded for his musical and dramatic talents. He found a group of kids very much like himself who accepted him for who he is. That alone, was worth the price of admission!! She became the confident young lady I always knew she was. I could see in her eyes that she had changed just a bit. She could face the world without me holding her hand. She was proud of her accomplishments - she learned to poop in the woods, climb a mountain, and be virtually independent. She wasn't "the little one" any more. Today I drop the boy at his camp. He is excited to once again be among the kids who find his talents cool. His trunk is packed. He is ready. LLB? Yup she's ready too, but her camp doesn't start for another week. One more week for me to snuggle her and keep her close. Bittersweet? Nah. LadyBug Click here for the Monday Memories Code, Blogroll, Graphics, & Other Information View More Monday Memories Participants Trackbacks, pings, and comment links are accepted and encouraged!