Ready Or Not, There He Goes...

I have anticipated this day with some dread. 
This day.
This ominous looking (yet gorgeous) day...

And why?  Because I sent my first born away for an entire week to scout camp.   It's hard for me.  He won't be home.  He won't be around.  I'll worry.  I just will.  He did not ease my misgivings with all the talking about swimming and rifle merit badges and hiking in mountains with animals.

But I am not freaking out about it or anything...

Not much anyway.  He's never been away this long (unless he's with family).

I told him I was tempted to keep him home.  I wanted him safe and sound and here with me.  (He's my sidekick, my super-helper-kid).


The trouble is, he's been packed since last week.  This kid loves scouting.  Loves adventure.  Loves camping.  He is going to have the time of his life this week.  I know that.  So how could I keep him home?

I remember taking my first stay away camp trip.  I'll never forget my first long hike in the mountains, standing in the middle of a forest of aspens as the sun shone through the fluttering leaves.  I was amazed.  I was in love with it all. The smell of sun-baked dirt on the trail, the ever changing scope of the landscape.  It was constant beauty and fresh air and sky. I learned how to tie boondoggles, make my first campfire (all by myself).  The overwhelming night sky uninhibited by the city lights and exploding with stars -all while telling stories with friends.

I hope he doesn't miss me nearly as much as I will miss him. 

Parenting is a stage of life's journey where the milestones come about every fifty feet.  ~Robert Brault