I hope I find it soon, cuz I leave in the morning for nearly 6 days at Girl's Camp! The weather forecast includes rain parka's and mosquito repellent. Lots of repellent. And long underwear. My faithful hubby went up to the site on Saturday to set up tents and cots and make things homey. I hear he was incredibly useful relative to some other bodies roaming the campsites. That's my hubby, ever reliable. He IS a camper at heart. I secretly think he's laughing inside because he knows how Im so NOT a camper. Perhaps my occassional mention of pedicures and lunches out were a clue. He said he's worried the cot is going to be too hard for me. (Now that's real love...worrying about the Princess and the pea!) I can tell you right now he's right. We are sardined (yes, I just made that up...c'mon Websters, get on board) into a tent with 5 women. Side-by-side. He's worried about that, too, because he knows me well. And now that I mentioned that...my sisters and my mother are on their knees as well, praying that everyone will have forgiving hearts where I am concerned.
I have a feeling this week is going to be humbling. Haven't had to share this much personal space in a long time. I mean, at my age, you have to worry some noise is going to slip out and someone you don't know very well will hear it, and hopefully not hit the floor laughing just to make that moment that much more embarrassing! Especially if it's in the middle of the night. I'm a little worried about that. Okay, a lot. My body is crazy when I travel. It must have something to do with nerves. I know I sound OCD; I'm really not. But I am feeling a little anxious. Will there be enough fiber in my diet this week? Spirtual fiber, yes. Insoluble fiber, I doubt it!
But this is a time for reflection, instrospection, relaxation, star-gazing and hopefully a nap or two. I'm in dire need. So this may be exactly what the doctor ordered. I'm not one to guess. I'm excited to see my daughter in this social setting for a week and admire the woman she is becoming. She has a smile that lights up the room, let alone a campsite! She loves nature and has so much respect for it, also. I will love watching her exist in nature. I know it will be a week I won't soon forget.
So, Mom. This is me looking at the glass half full. Setting aside my anxiety and replacing it with a positive attitude. Not only will I make friends with mosquitoes as they attack my back side while using the port o potty, but bond with some new friends as well as we drift off into slumberland!
Off I go...the Happy Camper!
Girls Camp was everything you would think camp would be: Not much sleep, tons of starch for breakfast, lunch & dinner, swarms of mosquitoes, loud girls, campfire songs and roasted marshmallows, lots of laughter.
On this day -- we were reminded of God's great gifts...the gift of nature and all of it's splendor. Not only that, but all of the sudden the air was filled with hundreds, no thousands, of baby lady bugs. Our guide said they just hatched and were off to find their way in the world. It was like fairies dancing around in the air, occassionally landing on our arms or legs. It was beautiful. Just like our girls. Close to leaving home and setting foot out in the real world. But they'll be ready. And camp will have helped prepare them. Hopefully I had a hand in that, watching these kids grow...a lot...this week. Some more than others. But it was there and the triumphant spirit grew stronger this week. Not only theirs, but mine as well. Love abounds in nature.
