Sunday night – Gabe's at camp

We woke today to a cool rainy day. Gabe wanted to sleep as late as possible in his own bed before spending the next 2 weeks on a bunk at camp. My folks, Gabe and I left home around 10 to catch breakfast before we headed to Abnaki and my parents left for home. We ended  up at ‘On the Rise’ for breakfast. It  was great. The place was full of our friends. 

 


After a big breakfast the four of went to the playground to hang out for an hour.. by this time, the skys were clear and it was getting hot. Gabe and I played tag on the playground for old time sake it was fun in an old-slow-guy-chases-young-fast-guy  kind of way.

 


What a monkey !

Around 11 we said goodbye to my folks and got on the road to Abenaki..

Gabe was pretty excited about Camp and we talked non stop the whole way there. Gabe was helping me come up with ideas for how I can get more kids interested in science. He had some really good ideas.

 
The drive to Abnaki took about 45 minutes..

as I got close to the camp a strong mix of emotions came over mer.. I was happy for Gabe… he was really looking forward to spending the next two weeks up there.. at the same time I was going to miss him like crazy.. and then, of course.. were the memories of so many years past bringing Sam here. Sam and Gabe had planned to go together this year .. This is to be the year that Gabe receives his Nadokinac award for being at the camp for 5 years. Sam got it last year.. His name, albeit misspelled,  is on the plaque in the meeting room.


We were about the the sixth car let into the camp as they opened the gates. We checked Gabe in got him checked for lice and we headed off to his cabin.  Turns out that Tyler P. is Gabe’s cabin councilor. We could not ask for a better situation.. Tyler has been such a great friend to our family over these last 7 months.. he really knows Gabe.   Lots of Gabe’s friends are councilors this year.. Jeff D., Nicky, Rusty.. .. I know Gabe’ll be in good hands. I helped Gabe make his bed.. and said goodbye.. Gabe seemed fine and happy..

Sams frisbees were all over

Gab’es bunk

His ‘village’

His councilors

I walked into the woods and completely broke down.. I loved seeing the camp and the kids.. being there made Sam’s not being there so powerful. I took a slow tour from the chapel to the art room with Diane’s Mom’s kiln now installed ,

and the fire circle.. where the famous ‘Wonder boy’ pictures were taken.. In fact.. that picture is the centerpiece on this months Camp Abnaki calendar.   

 


I ended  up a the waterfront.. and walked out on the pier to think… I stayed there for about 30 minutes until I was together enough to drive home..  

 


By the time I got to Williston I was doing OK. I dropped by two of the big box electronic  stores trying to by a replacement computer for our now broken downstairs one. I was so frustrated by the long wait for a sales person in either store .. As I got madder.. I realized how convenient it is for me to use something like anger to switch me out of a sad mood.. I do it all the time.. not sure that’s healthy or unhealthy ..

 

By the time I’d finally made my purchase it was time for me to pick up Diane. She’d been down at Kirpalu in western MA with our friends Mark and Jeanie.   She had some great  stories of her experiences in here class  this weekend.

 

We got home and spent some time with some of the Voices kids.. then took a short walk down the Huntington. After that, we went up to Deb’s for a cookout


The Twnsends ‘pet’ chipmonk

Then back here .By that point there were quite a few of the Voices kids having a low key night off (they don’t work Mondays). It’s fun to see them relax a little.. there’s currently working 9-9 6 days a week. …

 Voices kids chilling out


OK.. gotta go now.. These next two weeks I’ll be really missing Gabe.. though I’m sure he’ll be having a great time. Sam.. I could really feel you there at camp today… I love you all

-me