Greetings from Camp Kanata.
Brennan, who is 8 years old, spent a whole week as a resident camper two weeks ago. We dropped her off on a Sunday afternoon, and picked her up the following Saturday morning. She had attended this same camp two years ago as a day camper, loved it, and couldn't wait to return as a resident. So we waited a couple of years and finally gave in.
On Tuesday, we got our first letter. It was thoughtfully crafted, a full handwritten page. It addressed each of us by name, "Dear Mom, Dad, Brady, Nora, Polly (the dog) and AJ". We got a brief summary of her activities for the day (putt-putt polka, among other things) and an explanation of the Share Box and Cabin Time. She said she was having a blast, but missed us "deep down inside." I was touched at how sweet the letter was and I couldn't wait for the mailman to come the next day to get the next installment.
On Wednesday, the second letter arrived. "Dear Everyone" was the salutation, and she reiterated that she was having "SO much fun" and gave us the words to some cheer that she's learned about the Daisy Cabin. Oh, and that she's forgotten about us.
Nice. I hope that what she meant to write was that she's forgotten about missing us. Yes, I'm sure that's what she meant...
On Thursday, the third letter arrived. "Dear Everyone, I need a new camera." "DAISIES ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!"
That's it. Hmmmm...
On Friday, the fourth letter arrived. "Dear ("Everyone" but it was scratched out) Mom. Can you send me a package and a new camera, and maybe some food for the share box?"
Now, the upside to this story is that we can claim success (so far) in raising a confident, independent young lady. The downside is that she's a confident, independent young lady of 8 years old who successfully navigated a week away from me, without more than a fleeting pang of homesickness.
It struck me that she is growing up, and it is happening very, very quickly.
I immediately went into panic mode, and implemented a new, mandatory, weekly Family Night.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment