It's amazing what you can live without for a week. The less you know about what's going on in the world...the less you think you need to know...and so my seven days in the cancer camp "boonies" passed pretty uneventfully, relatively speaking.
My iPhone was barely holding on to consistent phone reception without my having to standing on the roof of the dining hall on one leg and wearing a foil hat... much less allowing me to check e-mail. And--really--what's the point of reading your mail if you can't answer it? The closest town made Mayberry look like NYC, but it didn't matter because I'm one of the few staff members who doesn't really leave camp, since it's about 45 minutes from everywhere.
My husband was in the mountains of New Mexico with our youngest son on an 86-mile trek, so our communications were/still are scarce and the middle son was home alone and working for a week after being away for a month, which caused me to call at least twice per day and inquire as to his health and whether or not he had remembered to feed the dogs. (If you're reading this, Tuck, just let me apologize now for being such a freak show worrying about burglaries or you being kidnapped by a Columbian drug cartel. But can I just give a big shout out to you for remembering to do all the above in addition to vacuuming, cleaning the kitchen and taking out the recycling. And? No one --including your friends who spent the night-- touched my half-full bottle of wine. )I'm just so proud!
The oldest son was at camp with me and working with 8-9 year old boys.
And now? He's gone again to another camp where he'll be the rowing instructor for Boy Scouts bent on mastering aquatic skills. How much does the council pay a 20-year old to do this? $50 for one week. No, you did not read that incorrectly. I almost had a stroke when he told me and that's another post for another day, but--as God as my witness-- if I hear "it's not the money...it's the experience" One. More. Time? I'm afraid someone will have to book me a padded cell at the Betty Ford Center.
So--yeah--no internet or blogs or Facebook. Infrequent communication with family. An old copy of my city's newspaper to read when I wasn't working in the Arts & Crafts Building. In exchange for all of the above I acquired a facility with words like osteosarcoma and BMTU (bone marrow transplant unit) and communion with kids who are so brave that it gives me chills. I mean, technically speaking, I guess you could say we're ALL terminally ill. Every one of us. It's just that some have already gotten their diagnosis early and the rest of us are still waiting.
When cancer takes away a kid's unshakable hope to still be alive next month, you realize how unimportant your New York Times daily crossword really is. And if they can wake up and smile over the miracle of a day where they can still walk to breakfast...well then...I think I can, too.
It's great to be back.
It sounds like it was worth forgoing the wine for.
Posted by: Jenn @ Juggling Life | July 12, 2009 at 11:58 AM
What an experience. How neat that your son came with you this year! I bet it makes you hug them all a little closer when you are at home.
Posted by: Becca | July 12, 2009 at 12:29 PM
Your oldest son is very wise. And one day somebody will pay him a lot more than $50 a week because he has racked up a lot of experience... and also because he clearly has his head screwed on right.
And middle son doing the chores, including vacuuming... and not touching the Pinot... that's pretty priceless.
Now that I am no longer studying in the summer, your experience has reminded me that I need to get into some kind of community service project during these months. Those who have the least often teach us the most.
Posted by: Ortizzle | July 12, 2009 at 12:44 PM
Ya'll definately live the full life - hiking, rowing, art-ing. That you share it with so many is inspiring.
Posted by: phd in yogurtry | July 12, 2009 at 12:58 PM
Wow. Your family has had quite a week. I am so impressed w/ you and your kids.
Posted by: anna see | July 12, 2009 at 02:24 PM
I'm glad you're back.
Posted by: Mary | July 12, 2009 at 03:46 PM
Glad you're back. Sounds like a good week at camp.
Posted by: Betty | July 12, 2009 at 03:57 PM
It's great that you do that.
Posted by: All Adither | July 12, 2009 at 06:11 PM
You are such an active family. I love reading about everything you all are involved in.
Posted by: NancyJ | July 12, 2009 at 07:34 PM
they use that phrase here a lot in Hollywood. Your sons sound like such great kids and clearly they have their mom to thank for that.
Amazing that you worked at this camp. So moving and yes those that are suffering have a lot to teach those of us who are lucky enough to be healthy.
Posted by: Jessica Bern | July 12, 2009 at 09:05 PM
Welcome back to "civilization," although it sounds like you and the fam have that pretty well mastered. Good job.
Posted by: Nance | July 13, 2009 at 08:04 AM
Yea, for Tucker! Though, really, who needs a half bottle of wine when there's a keg of beer in the tub? :) I kid, I kid!
Glad you're home. Enjoy!
Posted by: Beth | July 13, 2009 at 06:35 PM
I have always found your stories about you and your family so inspiring. This is another one of those stories.
Glad you're back. :)
Posted by: mamatulip | July 14, 2009 at 06:29 AM
What a wonderful week. Sometimes it's truly nice to just unplug from the internet and the newspaper. Glad you were able to share that with your son, and how awesome that he is interested in going on and doing more fun stuff with kids. You've done well, I would say. And it sounds like your other son probably had a great time with his dad, while the other-other son got to spend some down time sans family. A heady experience.
Posted by: J | July 14, 2009 at 10:02 AM
That's a gorgeous place. Someday I need to do something like that, when my kids are big enough to go to their own camps, or on 86-mile treks with their father. Thank you.
Posted by: Janet | July 15, 2009 at 06:25 PM