Hi everyone, Yvonne Heath here with love your life to death.
It's the middle of May and I am having a pity party. We have been going through this pandemic for weeks and weeks, we've been supporting each other, fueling the positive when we're struggling and knowing that everyone is is having a different experience in this. And there was one thing that I know thousands and thousands of people were holding on to, they were holding on to the hope that summer camp would still be going on. We have just learned, we were just crossing our fingers, and we have learned that summer overnight summer camp is not going to happen. I am grieving and so are my kids and my husband. For those who have never gone to summer camp, you might not know why it's such a big deal. My husband went to camp for over 10 years at Camp Can-Aqua and his sister did but I didn't understand it until I became the camp nurse for five years in session at Can-Aqua. I fell in love with camp. I carved a little eagle. I was the fun "Patch Adams" camp nurse and I had kids sign a T shirt. These kids just loved me and I love them back. I learned what camp really is to so many people. For kids in the city, it might be the, the only time that they really truly connect with nature for others who are bullied at school it's their safe haven or those who feel so much pressure from school or even their home life might not be great, or even just that opportunity to forget about makeup to wear socks and sandals to connect with kids around the world and just to have good clean fun. These kids are learning leadership skills as they go along and as they become campers then counselors and and head staff. It is the greatest learning for life, and knowing how fun it really can be just just having a great time together. They all just connect. In Ontario alone over 35,000 kids who will not be able to work at Camp. That's what they were counting on this summer for a job. And let's be honest for parents. Oh my gosh, my kids home all summer when they were going to be going to camp. What are we going to do? I think that we need to take this pause to acknowledge and allow our feelings have a little bit of a pity party! Just sit with this for right now. If you didn't understand about camp and somebody's really upset, ask why did why did camp mean so much to you and just listen without judgment, allow their feelings. Camp is a magical place for so many people. I am sending so much love to every kid who wanted to go to camp everyone who was going to go to camp and just is so deeply disappointed the staff the directors and all parents, we will get through this. It is really disappointing right now so let's acknowledge and allow those feelings, stay connected with people you were going to go to camp with. Stay connected through the year and let's all look forward to Camp 2021. I am sending love to everybody. We can do this together. Let's keep supporting one another. To learn more about our Get Ready for Grief online program click here Purchase your copy (paperback) of Love Your Life to Death, or audiobook here. Click here to see Yvonne's TEDx Talk
6 Comments
Claudette Chartrand
5/21/2020 08:55:12 am
How very disappointing! Sending Love❤️❤️
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Yvonne Heath
5/21/2020 12:14:28 pm
Sure is for so many. Thank you. xo
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Gary
5/21/2020 08:58:25 am
This is a great post,, Yvonne!! We have a 13 year-old grandson whose two week session at Camp Winston (he is on the autism spectrum) on Sparrow Lake is an annual highlight. Of course, the no-camp news was pretty devastating for him...and his family, and all the other families who depend on this wonderful experience for their special needs children. You need not answer this, I just wanted you to know I appreciated your perspective. Gary
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Yvonne Heath
5/21/2020 12:16:22 pm
Thank you, Gary. Having a child with special needs not being able to go to camp adds yet another layer of grief for everyone. Sending your grandson much love and wishing him a wonderful different summer!
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Mary Spring
5/21/2020 02:44:10 pm
Ode to Summer Camp
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Yvonne Heath
5/22/2020 06:36:33 am
Mary, thank you for sharing your beautifully sad and hopeful poem. You've truly captured what camp means to so many and the loss they are feeling right now! Time to grieve and hold onto knowing that they will return! xxoo
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Yvonne Heath is Canada's Proactive Living Consultant. She is a Speaker, Television Host, Award Winning Author Guest Blogs
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