I often talk about miracles on this blog because I believe in them, I see them, I know that they're real. Miracles can manifest themselves in great and marvelous ways, but I also see them in ordinary life: my children getting along, my extra dose of energy around dinnertime and a few weeks ago, in my oldest getting to go on a field trip we were sure would be cancelled. Recognizing miracles makes me a happier, more grateful person so I choose to see them and praise them always. And to me, Talmage's adventure at CIMI was a miracle.
The LAUSD teacher strike was supposed to start on the second day of a three-day, two-night field trip for the fourth and fifth graders at our school, meaning it had to be cancelled. They were going to take a ferry to Catalina Island and stay at the Catalina Island Marine Institute (CIMI) for an adventure straight out of my nine-year-old's dreams. There would be squid dissecting, rock climbing, snorkeling, shark petting and night hiking and if that wasn't cool enough, there was juice and cookies at every meal and a campsite bedtime that was hours later than the one enforced at home. Yes, this trip was going to be everything. And up until the night before, we were convinced it was not going to happen.
I don't know how we got so lucky, but at the very last minute the strike was delayed by just two days, two small days that made all the difference for hundreds of Westwood children. I know it's silly to think there was some divine intervention when in actuality it was just a legal hang-up, but I choose to be grateful for whatever miracle allowed this trip to happen. Sure, the day before the trip I was running around like a headless chicken trying to get him ready for what felt like a surprise adventure but it was worth it because I just knew he'd have the best time. And he did.
Sending your baby into the world and relinquishing control is an interesting experience, and nearly ten years into parenting this was new territory for me. On one hand, I hated not knowing what he was doing every moment and missed seeing the joy and excitement on his face when he did something fun. Every night I fretted over whether he'd remember to put on extra socks if he was cold and was sure he'd lose every sweatshirt I sent with him, as he does. At the same time, I marveled that he was old enough to independently embark on a trip I know he'll always cherish and my heart swelled with pride at his growing goodness and sense of adventure. I was so excited for him! T has a big personality and our home was quiet and empty without him. We missed him BIG.
When I picked him up at the Long Beach Pier late Friday afternoon he and his friends were abuzz about every detail of the trip--the tame bison walking around camp, the perfect location of their dorm room, the camp directors dancing in their onesie pajamas and playing human fusbol during free time. Leela told me about the constellations she saw on the night hike, Lucas A. saw some Garibaldi fish while snorkeling, Talmage couldn't stop talking about all the names of the rock walls (The Beast!) and Lucas B. talked about touching real live sharks. We took turns going around the car telling a memory and this lasted the whole two hours home, until Talmage could barely talk anymore his voice was so hoarse and all the other friends were giddy to get home and tell their own families these stories again. There was so much energy in the car and it was electric, oh I loved it!
After a shower and a few hours at home I found Talmage cuddled in his new CIMI sweatshirt crying. I was sure he was hungry and tired, but he said he was neither. Finally, I said, "T, what's wrong? I don't understand why you're so upset." He looked at me with sincere and tear-filled eyes and said, "Mom, isn't it obvious? I just had the time of my life and I want to go back!" I couldn't help but smile because I have felt those same emotions so many times, and isn't it wonderful to have had such an incredible experience that you just want to live it again and again? I'm so grateful T got to go to CIMI, just so sincerely grateful.
These happy friends were so excited for the adventure awaiting them. I got this picture the morning Lucas' mom dropped them off in Long Beach and looked at it a million times over the next three days.
T taught all his friends gin rummy on the ferry and even had a pretty heated game with Mrs. Thyer!
I was standing on a bench screaming when I saw their ferry pulling up to the dock. I almost started crying. I'm clingy, it's cool!
Oh my gosh, I LOVE HIM!!! I may embarrass him with my squeals, but this smile is just everything to my mama heart.
The triumphant explorers, back home at last.
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