A Great Experience For All!

“Do you want to take your planets with you?  They may not have a place that they will stick to, but at least you could see them and think about them.”

Declan looked thoughtfully at his magnet planets stuck to the washing machine.

“No.  I am going to leave them here so every time you guys see them, you will think of me.”

Well, it worked.

Every time I was in the laundry room, I thought of Declan.

I should even clarify.  It wasn’t even the LAUNDRY room anymore.

It was the PLANET room.  And yes, every time I thought of Declan.

It wasn’t just there.  I thought of him as I sat expecting to hear the squeak of his trampoline as he jumps.

I expect to see him every night and every morning on his little bed next to mine.

Really, since Declan HATES to be alone, I expect to see him beside me everywhere I go.

But he wasn’t next to me.  He was at camp.  And thanks to the pictures his counselor sent throughout the week, I could see Declan had a really great time.

It really did take us a while to accept Declan’s absence.  We were so nervous and checked his schedule everyday to see what he was doing at that time, just wondering and hoping he was having a great time.

The big kids had their regular schedule, and my husband had his work – but three of us were able to get out and see The Lion King one night.

And although my husband and I were trying for a whole day together with Declan away, we just couldn’t swing it with the big kids schedule.  BUT we did get to go out to a movie on our own and saw Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (and although I spent a good five minutes with my eyes covered because of the graphic nature brought to me in true Tarantino fashion – I loved the end!)

Overall, I would say Declan had a great time experiencing new things, making new friends while he was away from us.  And although we had a hard time adjusting to his absence, I think Declan had a good time, and the family would try another camp again when he was ready!

And of course we were SO excited to see him, my family had a celebratory cake for him when he got home 🙂  A great way to close out an awesome week away!