Camp
My son is going to camp for 5 weeks on Saturday. Last year, when his mother first suggested it, I was totally opposed. I hated camp as a kid, and didn't think Simon would like it either. Plus, the whole idea of sending a 10 year old away from home for 5 weeks seemed unnecessarily cruel - the kind of things parents do for themselves (to buy some peace and quiet), not for the kids.
Surprise, surprise: Simon loved camp. Not only that, but he came back a wiser, more mature, and even nicer kid. He cherished the independence, and the opportunity to do his own thing without his parents bothering him. And what's not to like about playing sports all day? (I liked the fact that there are no TVs or video games).
And so this summer, while I am sad to see him leave, I know that he is really looking forward to it, and so I am looking forward to it with him. Once again, my wife was right.
Yesterday Simon asked if I would make him black bean burritos as his final meal on Friday before he leaves. In just a few minutes I'm going out to buy the beans. Of course I will make burritos. How could I refuse? He'll have to eat enough to last him 35 days.
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1 comments:
As the mother of a young adult son and daughter, I can sympathize with your pain, missing your son when he's at camp. I used to close the doors to the kids' bedrooms because the sight of the room without the child was just too painful. The best part of the camp experience, we found, was that the child who returns to you after the 4 or 8 weeks is an absolutely terrific, a wittier, wiser, kinder, more charming version of the child who left! Like a Polaroid snapshot, it fades after a few days but it is like a preview of the wonderful traits you can expect to see in your adult son or daughter. A wonderful preview of things to come!
I just read Dinner With Dad and thoroughly enjoyed it. It has even inspired me to try to duplicate some of your recipes. Are they available online?
Thanks, Kathleen Hill
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