Can’t do it alone

Each summer we have the privilege to witness the best parts of your children and today didn’t disappoint as I saw kindness and love rise to the top in a very special way. We have a camper who has been coming to Chenny for years but this year, nerves knocked on her door and it hasn’t been an easy ride. From her smiling face, you would never know that on the inside she was feeling insecure and unsure of herself. But she kept it inside and just didn’t want anyone to know. When she sat with me today and cried and saw a huge mountain in front of her, I asked if she shared these feelings with her friends to which she shook her head no. I told her the only way to get over that huge mountain in front of her was to trust her friends and let them in and talk about it and that support would get her through the times she felt alone. I knew she needed backup and she couldn’t do it alone, nobody can do it alone.  She named 2 friends to which she thought could be her support and with her permission agreed for me to fill them in. Feeling shy and nervous about revealing her feelings, I sat with these two amazing girls and brought them up to speed on what their friend was facing and how she was keeping it all inside. Without hesitation, they wanted to help their friend whom they had no idea how sad she was feeling on the inside. These two incredible kids showed compassion and kindness and said it so perfectly, “We got her. We won’t let our friend do this alone.”  You see, this girl who has been here for years just didn’t want to burden anyone with how she was feeling and her friends had no idea but when they heard that she was struggling, they stepped up, grabbed her hand, put their arms around her and told her that they are by her side, always. I saw the three of them on their way to dinner and when they saw me they stopped and gave me a wink as to say, Don’t worry we got her covered.  The camper who had cried to me earlier today looked happier than I have ever seen. A smile so genuine and a look as she shed that weight that was heavy on her heart. She opened up, trusted and let her friends help. It was magical and she wasn’t alone. She is climbing that mountain with her friends right by her side. Sometimes you have to take a leap before you are able to fly.

“Just don’t give up. Ever” – Venus Williams