I couldn't have planned a better week of vacation.
In fact, I didn't really even plan this one.
About 18 months ago I heard about this camp. Totally forgot about it, and then was reminded of it at the gym one day while watching a re-run of Extreme Home Makeover - where they were remodeling the home of this couple and some of the camp buildings of Camp Barnabas. This couple started a camp for kids with special needs to get the "camp experience", with the added twist of being treated with a kind of love you just don't see enough of. This place is based on the premise that different is normal, and normal is different. I remembered that this place let siblings go too, so when I got home I called.
I count blessing #1 - the info, #2 - the airing of an old episode I can't even find on you tube to show Shaun, and #3 - the off chance that I was at the gym to see it.
Blessing #4 came when I realized that this place books up a year in advance and we were only six months out for one of the 2 most popular weeks of the entire camp summer - when siblings are welcome too. AND we got the last 2 spots!!
Blessing #5 was the fact that we also received a partial scholarship so that they could attend, as we were trying to sell the house at the time.
Blessing #6 was that everyone was well enough to go, especially since Bella got sick just 3 days before we left.
Blessing #7 was Shaun getting all the time off from work. Maybe that is more like 3 blessings.
Blessing #10 was a free hotel from a friend for one night.
Blessing # 11 was Shaun's bonus check that finally came in days before we left.
Blessing #12 was the free stay at a condo in Lutsen, MN from a guy Shaun knows. This is the only reason we would make the trip from Missouri to Lutsen and back. (It really was more cost efffective.)
There really are too many blessings to count. This list goes on and on. And we all had such an amazing time.
Emma's trip could be referred to as The Catch of the Day. Each day she caught some great times. She caught a movie, she caught fish, she caught frogs and minnows, she caught a ride on a tube behind a jet ski, she caught a nap here and there, she caught a ride in grandpa's semi truck, she had to catch her breath after Uncle Chad took her on a huge scooter ride to a park where they played and caught a game of kickball - and then scootered all the way back. And she scored an ice cream cone for lunch with grandpa. She had a great time, but was more than thrilled to be back with her family and as it turns out - having a brother and sister is pretty great!
Bella had a fabulous time. After we got Anthony settled, we went to see her at her cabin and she was already moving in. She was so excited. Although I heard more about the animals at the petting zoo, the horses she rode and the dogs that lived there than any names of other girls, she still talked more than I have ever heard her go on. She made some friends and can't wait for her sister to come next year because they might be in the same cabin. She had a great first experience and is very excited to go back.
Anthony's trip was more amazing than I could find words for. He really did NOT want to be there at all. We tried everything, books, pictures, encouragement, our own excitement - nothing worked. While waiting in line, he hid his face in his pillow when the camp people came to give us information and get our campers names. Yet, these people just kept telling Anthony how happy they were that he was there and how they couldn't wait for him to have so much fun. No one seemed at all thrown by his obvious discontenment.
As we pulled in to the drop off, the volunteers were all yelling and cheering on each camper as they arrived, like 200 of them. I got panicked as I heard them from 4 cars back, because I knew that would push Anthony over the edge. But instead, as we pulled in, the entire crowd was down to barely a whisper and were doing the sign language applause (waving of the hands in the air). Somewhere I must have written down his fear of loud noises. The tears started there - I was in awe.
It was SUCH a nice gesture and thought - but it didn't help him at all.
As his CIA approached, a 16 year old from Denver, Colorado - Chase, and one of his cabin counselors, Eric came to get him - he absolutely was NOT going with them. I offered to help. This part sucked!
I had to pull him out of the car and push him screaming and crying up the hill to his cabin as Shaun drove off to park the car and register the kids. It was 95 degrees out and this little guy isn't so little at 90 pounds of sheer terror. I got him in and talked with him and Chase and gave him more "hints" and ideas for helping Anthony.
As "goodbye time" drew near, I had all I could do to keep it together. But when this young man looked at me, with tears in his own eyes and all the sincerity in the world and said "I want you to know, I prayed for this, and I really wanted to be with your son. I can't wait to spend time with him." I was done for. So while I did all I could to fight the tears, Shaun took the time to say goodbye to Anthony. Then I was up.
At first he didn't hug back, but then he hung on for dear life. Arms tight around my neck, I asked him if he was sad. He said yes, so I told him that I would be the sad girl and he could be the happy boy, and then he looked at me and smiled. One I won't soon forget. I told him to show Chase that smile and he did. Then I could go. He asked to go home with me and dad and I assured him he would on Thursday. We did that twice and then we parted. As I walked out the door, I turned and looked back to see him talking with Chase, and the cabin mom and he seemed ok. So I got out the door - and lost it completely. I hoped in every way that I really took all his sadness, I know I didn't, but at the time it sure hurt like maybe, just maybe, I did.
I found dear Emily next. The one who comforted me prior to coming there. Apparently I am not the only mom full of concern, as she soon added me to the "mommy check-in list". They check the kids at lunch and then give the report to all the moms who call in after 2. Did I tell you how awesome this place was?
But I am a very impatient, over protective mother. So at 9:00, I called. And hoped Emily didn't answer. I got Lindsay, who said that she was standing right next to Eric, one of the cabin counselors who was then put on the phone. He answered the phone - Hello, Mrs. Hinson. Loved that. He went on to tell me Anthony was playing tag and laughing just a few minutes before I had called. I cried while trying to thank him and wished him a good night, then he says "have a blessed week." Seriously, I couldn't get over all these kind people. I told Shaun - I want to go to Camp Barnabas.
Anthony did have fun, and after a few more "mommy check-ins" I learned that while getting ready for bed, he signed "I love you" to Chase. After that, I knew all was well. And for the first time on our trip, I didn't cry before falling asleep that night.
Pick up was the best. Anthony ran to us and hugged us so tight, I swear he lifted us both up. He was so excited after running to hug me, then running to hug Shaun, that he just ran over to this random woman behind Shaun and hugged her too. Then he realized he didn't know her and ran over to us and we all hugged again. He and Chase showed us their little hand jive thing they had going and they hugged too. Chase, whose time at camp was also his first, thanked us for Anthony being there, how he changed his life and even wanted to request to be together again next year. After that drop off, I was suprised Anthony didn't have a different CIA when we came back.
I was so stunned by this place, and this young man. This has been the most amazing thing I have ever seen for Anthony. One place where over 200 people were so thrilled he was there and so happy to meet him. Like he was this gift, just for them.
It hit me like a ton of bricks.
I haven't stopped crying since.
If you call me to ask more about it, you'll get a crackling voice.
There isn't a place, anywhere, like that for my son. This world is made up of more people scared and uncomfortable around him than those who actually care and reach out to him, no matter what. But for one week, he was the kid everyone wanted to be with, the kid to get to know and play with. For one week he was "normal". This place wanted him there, and they showed such a love to him that little miss wordy here can't even begin to explain it. It was such a great glimpse into a world full of acceptance that I had never seen. A world like that, on a daily basis, full of that sincere of love, was the most powerful thing I ever experienced, and I am not the same person I was. It was more than inspiring. What a different place this world could be!! Knowing that there are 200+ 14 to 18 year olds out there with that kind of love in them, sure gave me a hope like no other.
And Anthony? He says he'll go back, that Chase is his buddy, and he even acts more like... a guy. I can tell he's been hanging with "the guys" for a week. It's truly taking my breath away. It was so cool to see him high 5 all these guys as we were leaving, the hugs, the "later dude"s. I had no idea that this would turn out the way it did. I half-expected them to call me to come back to get him. I never expected to be so touched and affected.
There were really just too many blessings to count.
I have to go tend to my little "gifts" now. So I'll blog about me and Shaun on the next one.
