Feast After Famine: Countdown to Camp Begins

The first day of August means we've finally made it to the month on the calendar with the most anticipated event of the year—family camp. 

We've been looking forward to the trek north since the day we left Maine last year. And now it's just 21 X marks away on the whiteboard. 

When I curled up next to Esme at the end of quiet time today, she wrapped her legs around mine and buried her head in my neck. 

"I can't wait to swim out to the climbing wall," she told me. 

We've had similar conversations all year. Only Josephine left the safety of the dock and the enclosed swimming area last year to play on the floating trampoline and "the blob." The others tried but fear got the better of them. The long distance and uncertainty of swimming in the cold, dark pond (which had a definite current) zapped their already shaky confidence. We turned back after 15, maybe 20 feet. 

Since then, they've been trying to live down the disappointment and steel themselves for a second go at the long swim. A few months ago, we got a letter from camp that told us there would be a new toy out in the lake: The climbing wall. Another enticement to overcome their fears and swim bravely. 

Another toy for me to play on as well. 

"Me too," I said to Esme. "Me too."

Dana blogs at Feast After Famine.