The Starving Camper
In today's world full of bullied-school-bus-driver's by children of parents who have forsaken common sense and wisdom in the rearing of their offspring, opting to cast restraint and tough love (in the name of love) to the wind in order to make Junior happy (and keep being his "buddy"), I am here to declare there is HOPE yet! There are still parents out there willing to do the tough work that yields responsible, persevering and respectful children.
Several days ago, I read this Facebook status by a most remarkable, gorgeous and hysterical friend:
Just got this letter in the mail from Reginald*, who is away at camp this week:
Mommy and Daddy, PLEASE get me out of here and home ASAP! I do not get enough food and water, and I cannot sleep. I NEED YOU!!! Please, I beg you to come as soon as you can to take me home! I think I am sick :( I feel terrible! So when you are reading this letter, PLEASE get in the car and take me home! I feel like I am dying ! :( So, if you love me enough, you will come. Sincerely, Reginald*.
This status generated quite a few responses (as her's normally do). This morning, she shared in a private message the letter she sent back to her seemingly emaciated, neglected son. When I read it, I nearly cheered aloud. She agreed to let me share it with you:
Dearest Reginald*,
We got your very sad letter in the mail today, and it certainly broke our hearts. You had the desired effect of making us want to come pick you up and take you home right away. However, I remembered that you had a similar experience last summer when you went to Uncle Bob's house. You were so desperate for us to pick you up, immediately. Do you remember what happened? We told you that you needed to stay a bit longer, give it another day or so. By the end of the week, you were so happy that you didn't go home, because you would have missed out on all of the fun things that you did for the rest of the week. I think that this camp experience is very similar to that. I would love to have you here, so that you could snuggle with me at night, and make me laugh with all of your funny stories and such, but I know that I would be selfish to do that. You are going to have a lot of great experiences at camp yet, and I wouldn't want you to miss out on those.
Now, I saw that the camp posted a lot of pictures of you online. These were taken on Wednesday and Thursday, the same day that you wrote that letter and then a day later. You were SMILING, and having fun, playing lots of games. I was so glad to see that you were in the water, especially considering how hot it was today! Seeing these pictures gave me some peace, because they weren't pictures of you crying in the corner somewhere - as your letter would suggest you were doing. In fact, I saw pictures of you eating FOOD, and drinking WATER - two things you said you were being denied. Either they realized that they were starving and dehydrating you, and decided to remedy that - or they were mere props for the parents' benefit. But since you were smiling, I'm going to believe that you were being well taken care of. Just in case I'm wrong, I promise that I will have the car stocked with plenty of food and water when we pick you up on Saturday morning, that way you don't have to wait to get home before we can start refueling your body.
While those pictures I saw of you didn't portray a sick boy, I want you to make sure that you tell one of your counselors if you are not feeling well. I'm sure they have a nurse there that can check you out, and make sure you are doing okay. If this nurse finds that you are sick, you bet we'll be right there to pick you up! I know you also said that you weren't getting enough sleep. Thankfully we don't have any plans on Saturday, so you can take the entire afternoon to nap, and catch up on your rest if you'd like.
You only have one day left at camp. You just have to be strong and hang in there for the last day, and then you can be proud of yourself for staying the entire time! I know you will be much happier doing that than bailing on your friend and coming home early. We are so excited to see you, and hear all about the fun things that you have been doing. I can't wait for you to see how much Cinnabon has grown. He has the cutest little round belly :o) Isaac is certainly ready for you to come home, he talks about you all the time. Even Emily and Kalyn talk a lot about how much they miss you, and how funny and cute you are. So, until I see you, just remember: Ian + Mommy + Snuggles = Saturday morning. See you soon, my sweet boy!
Love,
Mommy and Daddy
We got your very sad letter in the mail today, and it certainly broke our hearts. You had the desired effect of making us want to come pick you up and take you home right away. However, I remembered that you had a similar experience last summer when you went to Uncle Bob's house. You were so desperate for us to pick you up, immediately. Do you remember what happened? We told you that you needed to stay a bit longer, give it another day or so. By the end of the week, you were so happy that you didn't go home, because you would have missed out on all of the fun things that you did for the rest of the week. I think that this camp experience is very similar to that. I would love to have you here, so that you could snuggle with me at night, and make me laugh with all of your funny stories and such, but I know that I would be selfish to do that. You are going to have a lot of great experiences at camp yet, and I wouldn't want you to miss out on those.
Now, I saw that the camp posted a lot of pictures of you online. These were taken on Wednesday and Thursday, the same day that you wrote that letter and then a day later. You were SMILING, and having fun, playing lots of games. I was so glad to see that you were in the water, especially considering how hot it was today! Seeing these pictures gave me some peace, because they weren't pictures of you crying in the corner somewhere - as your letter would suggest you were doing. In fact, I saw pictures of you eating FOOD, and drinking WATER - two things you said you were being denied. Either they realized that they were starving and dehydrating you, and decided to remedy that - or they were mere props for the parents' benefit. But since you were smiling, I'm going to believe that you were being well taken care of. Just in case I'm wrong, I promise that I will have the car stocked with plenty of food and water when we pick you up on Saturday morning, that way you don't have to wait to get home before we can start refueling your body.
While those pictures I saw of you didn't portray a sick boy, I want you to make sure that you tell one of your counselors if you are not feeling well. I'm sure they have a nurse there that can check you out, and make sure you are doing okay. If this nurse finds that you are sick, you bet we'll be right there to pick you up! I know you also said that you weren't getting enough sleep. Thankfully we don't have any plans on Saturday, so you can take the entire afternoon to nap, and catch up on your rest if you'd like.
You only have one day left at camp. You just have to be strong and hang in there for the last day, and then you can be proud of yourself for staying the entire time! I know you will be much happier doing that than bailing on your friend and coming home early. We are so excited to see you, and hear all about the fun things that you have been doing. I can't wait for you to see how much Cinnabon has grown. He has the cutest little round belly :o) Isaac is certainly ready for you to come home, he talks about you all the time. Even Emily and Kalyn talk a lot about how much they miss you, and how funny and cute you are. So, until I see you, just remember: Ian + Mommy + Snuggles = Saturday morning. See you soon, my sweet boy!
Love,
Mommy and Daddy
Do I hear an AMEN!?
Thank you, Jennifer, for being one of my hero's and for giving all of us who fear much is lost in the upcoming generation, a little ray of hope!
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