Every summer since I was 16 (with the exception of two mind-blowing and wonderful summers spent in Iowa) I have worked at a day camp for people with disabilities. Though my own role there has morphed, adding new responsibilities, and changing expectations, the campers remind me of the joy of simple moments, the magic in every day experiences. We went to a car wash a few weeks ago to manually hose down the ever-dirty bus. On my own, a car wash is a chore that just needs to be done. With the campers, it was a pure adventure of excitement and delight. Three young campers and I stood on a small platform, nearly level with the roof of the bus, as one of my co-workers sprayed the water, artificially colored pink and blue. As she worked, much of the water came bursting towards towards us, and all the campers shrieked and giggled as they got wet. Another boy sneaked off to the automatic car wash, because one of his greatest joys in life is giving thumbs-up to the drivers who dare to go through. When the automatic wash had no customers he waited impatiently, and when one finally drove up, he cheered.
That same camper cannot go through a tunnel on the road without demanding, loudly, that the driver honk. As soon as he hears the first, "BEEP BEEP", he bursts into paroxysms of laughter. There is no way to be in the same vicinity and not feel pure, unadulterated delight. I have begun to look forward to tunnels and car washes even when I am alone, because my campers have reminded me of just how fabulous those basic things can be.
Yet finding that pure joy in simple moments is not always easy when I don't have an enthusiastic side kick reminding me of the excitement of seeing a train, or the fun in hearing a truck honk its horn. I easily become wrapped up in worry about the future, fixating on memories from the past, and too lost in thought to see the joy all around me.
That same camper cannot go through a tunnel on the road without demanding, loudly, that the driver honk. As soon as he hears the first, "BEEP BEEP", he bursts into paroxysms of laughter. There is no way to be in the same vicinity and not feel pure, unadulterated delight. I have begun to look forward to tunnels and car washes even when I am alone, because my campers have reminded me of just how fabulous those basic things can be.
Yet finding that pure joy in simple moments is not always easy when I don't have an enthusiastic side kick reminding me of the excitement of seeing a train, or the fun in hearing a truck honk its horn. I easily become wrapped up in worry about the future, fixating on memories from the past, and too lost in thought to see the joy all around me.
Tomorrow dawn it lights the way for me,
Down a road that goes on and on And on and on and on ...
Just survivin' it ain't the way to be.
Tried it once and it took it's toll on me.
He hesitated, never acted in the now.
I never waited, wiped the sweat off of my brow.
They congregated so I looked at them and bowed.
And I'll have my way, I'll have my way,
And never turn around.
Down a road that goes on and on And on and on and on ...
Just survivin' it ain't the way to be.
Tried it once and it took it's toll on me.
He hesitated, never acted in the now.
I never waited, wiped the sweat off of my brow.
They congregated so I looked at them and bowed.
And I'll have my way, I'll have my way,
And never turn around.
I wonder if Sister Hazel is speaking to the same doldrums I can find myself mired in. Trying so hard to survive can take its toll when worry and fear take away from the beauty in the present moment. I don't think it is possible to laugh till your stomach hurts as you go through a tunnel and to feel anxiety at the same time. I feel empathy for the "he" who "hesitated, never acted in the now". It is so easy to become swallowed by responsibilities and demands. I often worry if I am making the right decisions, struggling with my choices and my plans. My campers teach me, however, that all I need is here in the present moment. One afternoon spent washing a bus can dissolve all fear. One ride through a tunnel can re-invigorate even the gloomiest of days.
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