I'm sitting on a comfortable sofa watching the women and men around me interact, laugh, and have all kinds of discussions. In the last 15 minutes I've heard snippets of conversations centered around how to tell if your toddler is having developmental problems, meditation, awesome trips to India, what to expect when the "flash mob dance" occurs later this afternoon, and "Damnit Dolls".
So as not to leave you hanging, these are the Damnit Dolls:
A friend sells them and yes, I have one. The purpose of the doll is to help you vent your frustration. It's a very sturdy, stuffed doll that you hit against the wall or something solid, while you say, "Damnit, dammit, dammit!!".
You'd be surprised at how extremely satisfying that can be.
Not that I'd ever say that while I used it.
A-hem.
It's been a great Camp in just the one day we've had. Since it's the 5th anniversary of Soaring Spirits many of the people who haven't attended in the last year or so have come to this one. It's been like "old home week". I love seeing their faces and sharing those long, hard hugs.
Love.
It.
Yesterday the mayor of San Diego signed a declaration making July 28th 2013 "Camp Widow Day". He was to come to our reception last night and give us the framed declaration himself. Those of us who either live near here or have been watching the local news here over the past week or so (like me) were guessing what the odds were that he'd show.
I thought they were extremely low.
Too bad I couldn't put money on that because he didn't show.
Some guy from his security team came (late) to tell us. We made him take the place of the mayor and speak to the crowd, awarding us the declaration.
Poor guy.
He even had to take a photo with us.
Maybe he'll be elected next time instead of his boss.
One would think that if one's public office job wasn't going so well at the moment, one might consider a photo op with 250 or so widowed people to be a pretty good thing to do.
One might also think that standing up a crowd of 250 or so widowed people is definitely not a good idea.
One might want to be looking for a new job, doncha think?
: )
This morning we had our key note address and we had a big surprise for the group. Someone had decided to contact the White House about Camp, and about the declaration. Less than 5 days after she sent an email we received a letter.
A personal letter.
From Vice President Joe Biden.
Who is himself a widower.
It was very thoughtful.
And brought tears to my eyes.
There are way too many of us, and that never ceases to make me sad.
Our ranks grow every day.
Unfortunately.
There are people walking around today, enjoying life and their relationships ...... and have no idea that in the next day or so they, too, will join this club.
That really sucks.
Anyway, this is always a happy/sad/joyful/tearful weekend.
It's a balance for me ...... and finely tuning that balance each time.
That's getting easier with each camp, thankfully, and with time.
This is never a weekend I dread, but one I look forward to tremendously.
It's a weekend where all of our hard work helps other men and women to feel normal ...... some for the first time since their loved one died.
And trust me, when you're widowed you long to feel normal.
Even if it's only for a weekend.
Happy Saturday, Peeps.
: )
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