i got...nuthin'.

this life lesson started out normally enough. several years ago. a week at camp...with kids i didnt know. all in 4-5th grades.

i got there, settled into our cabin...then "they" arrived. a group of kids from a church i had never gone to, visited, or even had any familiarity with.

it started out as a normal enough week. everybody getting to know me, and the other way around, also. i got the dubious honor of posting the "rules" in our cabin.

1. don't hit anyone.

2. don't touch anyone else's stuff without their permission.

3. if you don't know, ask.

4. soap and water are good for you.

5. so are clean underwear. (remember, these are elementary aged guys!)

6. socks too! (ditto)

Note: (the camp nurse had to have a "shower talk" with the entire camp about this late in the week! Phew!)

7. have fun.

8. don't die.


the first day went well. we all hiked, shot bows & arrows, ate meals together and stuff.

then what all the adults looked forward to...an hour of "counselor free time".

i always felt a little sad when leaving for our kids with the staff of the camp. (don't get me wrong, they were incredible. best camp i've ever heard of...has an international reputation for excellence) the reason i felt sad? a couple kids looked at me with "those" eyes when we all left.

damn heartstrings...quit tugging on 'em, guys. it's only an hour.

...and then the hugs when i returned. like i was a long lost friend. i guess i was.

i never got used to being the hero.

campfire time. they sing. alot. (i don't. i couldn't carry a tune in a bucket—still can't.) it's fun ...pretty high-energy...except for me...suffering from acute caffeine withdrawl...heh. then a few skits...then the message. its a good one...you know...standard camp fare...but the main thing that struck me was (no, not gas from dinner...heh) that two kids politely battled each other for proximity...to me....huh. interesting. wonder whats up? missing their parents/adult figures?

we go on a hike the next morning. we stop by the little museum the camp has set up.

the childrens director from the other church meets us there to say "hello". she casually asks me how the week has been so far. i say, "fine.".....'cause it was. she asks if i've heard anything from the 2 kids i mentioned. i said, "nope. they seem fine." she says..."let me tell you..."

holy cow. or holy....something stronger.

one of the kids is hispanic. a week before camp, the parents are removed from the home as unfit. (drug sales and possesion) all five kids in their home are placed. some with foster homes and some with grandparents. remove the parents, then split up the kids.
smart move. works wonders for kid's sense of security and belonging? maybe just.. place them in one location, under one roof, eh? consistency is a good thing. especially for kids.

you'd think this kid would be in crisis (meltdown) mode. not so. basically a normal, well-adjusted kid. wants to come and talk before bed. about his day and such. no whining or moaning or complaining.

the other kid has a mom in and out of drug rehab. for 6 months at a time. he stays with a friends family...for that time...and visits mom in a rehab center.

dad isn't involved in his son's life...hell, he ain't involved in his own life...was in a high speed pursuit...car wrecked...dad was thrown out. landed in the gutter...against a curb. head first. did i mention head first?

he lost half his brain. he's a vegetable. (like me without caffeine, but thats a whole 'nuther story.)

mom's wasting away. dad's basically wasted away.

the kid? basically normal. his only request? that before bed, we talk. he wants to know about me...how i'm doing. he wants to talk about his day. no whining, no complaining.

he wants to talk to me about life. about God. in that situation...i could see myself interested in...me. not anyone else.

as we're leaving camp. on the last day, they come up to me and hug me. one of them says, "i am gonna miss you!"

these two fifth graders have taught me more about courage in the midst of adversity than anyone i've ever known...including high school, college, and bible college.

they ask ME about life?






i got nuthin'.





thanks guys. you were great teachers. you have everything you need.