September 2016, I sat in our elementary school gymnasium listening to our principal and 5th grade teachers talk about the class trip to overnight camp. My mind instantly went to Emily even though I was sitting there for Jena. I thought “how is this going to work for Emily? Will she be able to go? Will she stay overnight?” Then our principal said “no matter what your child needs, we will do it so they can come on the trip.” Instantly my worries eased…well…a little.

Over the past 3 years, Emily would do something and my mind would go back to how is she going to go to camp. For 3 years, it’s been taking up space in the back of my mind. All the the wondering and planning has now come to fruition. Last week Emily went to camp with her friends and classmates for 3 days and 2 nights. And she had the time of her life.

As I sat in that same meeting 3 years later, I didn’t wonder how it was going to work for Em, I knew. They were coming up with a plan with would help Emily have the best experience. Once I knew all most of Emily’s team was going, another worry taken away. Her team has been with her for years. They are the ones that know her best. I knew she would be safe and loved. I was asked “what can we do to make this the best for Em. How can we help?” All of this, eased my mind and diminished any worries.

But I still had a tiny worry. I knew from when Jena went to camp, they pick a friend to share a bunk with in the cabin. Would someone ask her? When I see her with friends, it’s often an odd number of them. I kept this worry inside. I was too afraid to ask. I didn’t want to feel bad if she didn’t have a partner. I didn’t ask Em either because I didn’t want to make her feel bad. I debated internally as to whatever or not I bring this up. I choose not to. Sometimes I would rather not know. It might sound terrible but there are times my heart just can’t take it. I just hope and pray for the best. This time it worked. I saw some of Emily’s friend’s moms. I mentioned camp and they said “oh the girls have it all planned out. They are so excited.” I didn’t ask for details. I was happy to know Emily was part of a plan. Whew another worry eased.

 

When it came to the day she left for camp, I wasn’t nervous or worried. I was confident that she was going to be safe and feel loved. She wasn’t going to be left out. She was going to have so much fun. She would be surrounded by so many people and friends that love her. She was going to make lifelong memories. She was going to try new things. She was going to forge a stronger bond with her friends. She was going to be happy. And all of those things happened. Plus her excitement filled me with joy. She was nervous or scared. She was excited. And I was excited for her.

 

This was not Emily’s first sleepover however this was the first time she ever slept over without family members. So the fact she successfully spent 2 nights away from home without any family with her is huge. Sleeping over and archery were the 2 things she talked most about before she left. She told me she wanted the top bunk. I suggested she sleep on the bottom. I pictured her waking up at the butt crack of dawn like she always does yelling help because she can’t get done. So what does she do…she picks the top bunk. It didn’t end up lasting and she moved to the bottom. But at least she enjoyed a little time feeling like she was on top of the world. I still haven’t heard many stories about the sleeping situation except that she climbed up to her friends bunk and poked her in the face until she woke up. Which I was told her friend loved it. I don’t care for that but I’m glad she did.

 

 

The pictures I received with that best. Every single one filled my heart with love and pride. Her happiness shined through every picture. I saw the happiness and love in her friends faces too. It warmed my heart to know she was enjoying her time with her classmates. She sang Baby Shark while I principal danced with her. She was in her element. She was in heaven. I was told “she’s having a great time…she is loving it…canoeing is her favorite…she’s having the time of her life.” It doesn’t get better than this.

 

 

 

I am so proud of her. She continues to teach me how to advocate for her. How to support her. How to encourage her. How to believe in her abilities. How to inspire others. How to go into a new situation with a positive and joyous attitude. How to live life to it’s fullest. How to live my best life!

 

The thing I wanted most for her from this trip was to make life long memories. It looks like she did. My heart is full!