A Cry to MyLot
By DianneN
@DianneN (247186)
United States
June 25, 2016 5:38am CST
I couldn't sleep past 5:30AM, which is unheard of for me. Once I popped out of bed, so did my husband.
He went to the kitchen to put on the coffee, feed Doodles, got the newspaper, put on the news, and made breakfast. I went to myLot after texting my grandkids and son.
Our 8 year old granddaughter is on her way to the airport to fly to Maine for 7 weeks of overnight camp. The camp has a chartered plane and leaves from New York. Of course I'm worried about her flying alone with only campers, counsellors, and one of the camp owners.
Once they land, a camp bus will drive them to their camp on a beautiful lake. All camp uniforms and paraphernalia have been unpacked last week and beds are made. All she has to do is have fun. She also has a much better ice skating coach this year. She still has 5 practices and routines per week which the camp will bus her to five minutes away.
This will be her second summer of leaving her friends and family behind. She is so independent for such a little pipsqueak. I received her camp address two weeks ago, so once I post this, I will begin the first of many letters.
I'm going to miss her so much! Thanks to myLot for letting me cry my heart out.
41 people like this
47 responses
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
25 Jun 16
I'm feeling better now knowing she flew up with some old and new camper friends. I never visited her at camp. Only parents are allowed for visiting day, drop off and pick up. Since it's an all girls camp, the final weekend the moms can bunk with the girls and participate in their activities. She did love her experience and told me that she's excited to go again. I'm happy for her, even though I think she's too young.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (51359)
• Canada
25 Jun 16
I think that missing someone that you love so dearly would make me lose sleep too.
I remember how much our son would miss Papa when they would travel and be gone for a few months at a time. He would really look forward to the postcards, and the phone calls. Those would lift his spirits so much, because when he was really small, he had a hard time understanding how someone can be so far away and not be lost-funny eh?
I'm sure that you've got lots of cute stationary that you can send her letters on. And it will make your heart happy when she replies. And mine too, because I love to hear all about the different things that she's into and enjoying.
3 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
25 Jun 16
She is used to her parents and grandparents traveling, and us leaving for Florida. I know she has a sense of distance, too, since she's traveled far and often with her mommy, daddy, and brother. I just want her to have a safe flight, which leaves at 8:00 and a healthy, safe, and fun summer. I can't wait to find out what activities she chose this summer. Ice skating is a given. I'm too upset and worried to walk with my friends today. I'll let you know when I find out. Parents visiting day should provide photos. I'll try to look up the camp photos online, too. Once she takes off, I will write that letter.
4 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
25 Jun 16
@Juliaacv She should be landing now. Her mother posted this photo of new friends and old who flew up with her. I'm happy she knew some girls. That makes it easier. She was really looking forward to camp again. I feel a lot better now. My little princess!
3 people like this
@Jeanniemaries (8237)
• United States
25 Jun 16
That is a long camp! I cried my eyes out at a 3 week camp I was so homesick. It's turnaround here! Now is the time for you to have fun making cards, embellishing envelopes with fun stickers and washi tape and sending care packages. You can send her the best mail! Always include a self address stamped envelope and some cute paper she will want to use and stickers. You are in for a treat if she will write back! It's as much fun as postcards! 8 year olds are such fun and at a good age to love mail and pen pals. My teen age grandkids deign to send texts back but only write than you notes. Thank goodness for Christmas and birthdays!
2 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
25 Jun 16
What is washi tape? Lol! She already has stamped envelopes with everyone's addresses. Same as last year. Her camp won't allow phones or care packages. The mail she will love! She told me she wrote to me several times last year, but I never received one letter. She does write fairly faithfully to her parents, so I get the news. Her mom found all the addressed and stamped envelopes in a heap under her bed on the last day of camp. Stinker!
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
25 Jun 16
@Jeanniemaries Thank you! I will look for it. And I love your ideas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1 person likes this
@Jeanniemaries (8237)
• United States
25 Jun 16
@DianneN Washi tape is decorative tape that is wildly popular right now. It is repositionable so you can take if off and reuse it or save it. It's fun to decorate envelopes with and even a different strip at the top of each paper in the letter. Right now Tuesday Morning has it on sale for $1.00 a roll. There are hundreds of patterns and colors. I gave my mom a roll with cats on them! She loves it. Include in her letter a stamped post card with a list of questions she can just answer and mail or just check yes or no to your questions. She'll like that.
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
28 Jun 16
So hard watching our grandbabies become independant. Here's a big hug from me.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
28 Jun 16
@DianneN my eldest grandson is now 15. Hard to believe that one.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
28 Jun 16
@ElusiveButterfly Wow! I hope I'm around to see mine when they hit 15!
1 person likes this
@Blondie2222 (28611)
• United States
27 Jun 16
She will be okay hopefully you can text her while she's there and make sure that she is okay. Atleast you can write her and she can write back that's a plus. I used to do summer camp when I was little and I enjoyed it.
1 person likes this
@Blondie2222 (28611)
• United States
28 Jun 16
@DianneN I enjoyed camp as a kid too and didn't want to leave. Not sure what they our like now a days though.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
28 Jun 16
@Blondie2222 My sons went to overnight camp. It wasn't much different from mine. My granddaughter goes to a great camp in Maine. They have all kinds of activities and sports that my camp never thought of!
@much2say (56053)
• Los Angeles, California
26 Jun 16
I remember when she went to camp last year - wow, how time flies - it's that camp time again! I just know she will have a super 7 weeks and have many more adventures. Ah, I know you will miss her . . . but she's a champ - very independent for her age - she'll be just fine. 
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
26 Jun 16
@much2say There were 4 or 5 other girls last year who are competitive figure skaters like my ice princess. The camp only offers skating to the girls who must practice their routines with a coach that each parent has to hire. The camp did have an ice skating day there for all the girls. The rink is not owned by the camp. They just provide transportation.
1 person likes this
You're in for such a treat when she comes back, she'll want to tell you all about all those new things she's done and new friends she's made.
@just4him (317241)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
27 Jun 16
I'm sure she will be fine. I wonder though if you will be. I'm here to help cheer you up and let you know that she's going to have a great camp again this year, and you have nothing to worry about. By the way, that's a great picture of her. I do remember your posts about camp last year. I think you were a basket case then too. Just saying it like it is. So down your coffee and think happy thoughts. She'll be home before you know it.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
27 Jun 16
I know I can count on you to cheer me up for anything! I'm usually a basket case in general. Lol! Hopefully, I will know more from her first letter if she returns the check off list I sent her in a self addressed stamped envelope. Lol!
I took that photo when she was on stage listening to the tap dancing director thanking everyone after the performance. Thank you and hugs!
1 person likes this
@just4him (317241)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
3 Jul 16
@DianneN So that's why she wrote that sweet letter I already read about. A bribe with a self addressed stamped envelope will do it every time.
It's a great picture of her, and cheer up, she's missing you, I guarantee it - in between all the fun activities she's doing all day long. I'm sure she has a thought for her dear sweet Grandmama.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
26 Jun 16
Seven weeks seems a long time for a child of only eight. I could not have let my daughter go for so long at that age, though I was a single working father.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
27 Jun 16
@DianneN I did my best, though not always, and she and I are still speaking regularly, so it was good overall I think. Thanks for that comment!
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
26 Jun 16
She went last year when she just turned 7. She is the one who wanted to go. Perhaps growing up in Manhattan made her more sure of herself. She loved it last year and took horseback riding, water skiing, drama, gymnastics, arts and crafts, rock climbing, etc. I thought she was too young, but she proved me wrong. I'm sure being a single working father must have been rough, but I'm sure you were a fantastic dad!
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66854)
• Philippines
26 Jun 16
she is turning into an independent lady, so you may just have to trust her
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66854)
• Philippines
27 Jun 16
@DianneN me too. i trust my son but i don't fully trust those around him
@abhinalstrikr (4111)
• India
26 Jun 16
all the best safe journey,she is so cute indeed
1 person likes this
@miniam (9154)
• Bern, Switzerland
25 Jun 16
Wow,7 week camp ls so long for such young age.Wish they had made it 3 weeks tops.But then camps help make kids so independent and they can make more friends.
Will be worried too if l were you, will be thinking is she ok,did she eat enough,shower properly etc.I do fret quite alot.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
25 Jun 16
Unfortunately, it's for the entire 7 weeks or nothing at that camp. She went last year at her insistence, not knowing a soul. I thought she'd be too young after just turning 7 then, but she pulled through and loved it. She knew how to take showers and is a good eater. I thought she was too young, but she proved me wrong. She is a pip and so unlike me as a child.
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
25 Jun 16
She sounds pretty independent.
It must be pretty hard on you, I can understand.
Happy letter writing and you update us on the welcome back party too.:)
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
25 Jun 16
She lives in Manhattan and as a result, has had many opportunities. She is a champion figure skater, appeared off Broadway in Peter Pan, modeled, tap dances, plays the piano, water skis, skis, horseback rides, has a zillion friends, and is a great student. Yet, I worry. I hope to find out what activities she chooses to do this year in camp.
2 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
25 Jun 16
@responsiveme We are very proud of her. She works so hard in everything she does. Besides, she is the only girl in a long line of males on my side of the family. She's the daughter I never had. Sigh.
1 person likes this
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
25 Jun 16
@DianneN you must be very proud of her. She sounds great.
1 person likes this
