Letting Go ~ Summer Camp

Packed and ready to go

This summer Tim and I asked each of the boys about going to camp with our church. We were both shocked when Jacob said he didn't want to go, but Joshua jumped at the chance. This is the same boy who just a few weeks ago was ready to come home after just two nights at Grandma & Grandpa's house. After talking over the details and making sure he understood he wouldn't see or talk to us for an entire week, he was still excited. We signed him up and he has been counting down to the big day. That day was yesterday.

Ready to jump on the bus!

I packed him up and made sure he had everything he would need. At least I hope! I kept expecting some nervousness on his part, but it never really came. While we were doing his laundry to get packed, he did tell me "I am going to miss you, but I'm going to have lots of fun!" Yesterday morning I woke him up and he jumped up thrilled to get dressed and ready. We made a pit stop at 7-11 for a bag full of goodies for the bus trip. Once we got to the church, he grabbed his stuff, jumped out of the van and headed towards the bus to get on - without even giving me a hug or kiss! He got his stuff on the bus and I called him back down to tell his momma goodbye. No apprehension from him whatsoever, just excitement. As the bus drove off, I felt a little nervous and strange feelings of needing to be in control. I say strange because I am no helicopter mom. Anyone who knows me knows that I'm the mom sitting on the sidelines watching while my toddler falls, cries and then picks herself back up again. Sure I kiss hurts and give hugs when needed, but I don't chase my kids constantly to keep them safe. And it's not that I always need to be with my kids, but this is the first time we've sent one of them off without knowing what he'll be doing every minute. We've left the kids before, but it's always been for us to get away so they've been at a relative's house and I've always known what was going on. Sure, I know he'll be swimming, canoeing, shooting arrows, buying candy, singing and learning about God, but it's strange not knowing what he's doing when he's doing it. Maybe this is a sign that I am too overprotective or controlling of their every move. Or maybe it's just a sign that they're growing up and I'm adjusting well. The uneasy feelings dissipated very quickly and now I'm just waiting to hear about the great time he's had. I'm sure he'll have plenty of stories!

On his bunk