Hummingbird

5 years ago, I arrived at camp, high on possibility, fueled by the realization that I was living out my dream. I was a CAMP DIRECTOR. My dad was by my side and nothing was going to hold me back.

Every day was a new adventure with a new story. I started this blog so my friends and family back home could keep up with my new crazy life. On May 30, 2008, I was sitting in my office when I heard a noise and was all of a sudden, face to face with a duck http://betweencosmosandgranola.blogspot.com/2008/05/duck.html (5 years later, I still remember that was a BIG bird). Hilarious. Magical. My college fears of growing up and getting a job in a stuffy cubical- forget 'em! A duck was in my office! I was living the dream!

5 years later, I still love this camp. But all the day to day challenges that seemed like wonderful adventures and whimsical stories to share with gusto have begun to take their toll. The problem with running a 65 year old camp in the middle of the woods is that something is always in need of repair. We are better off financially than we were when I began, we're still on a tight budget. Overall, my awareness and understanding of everything that goes into running a camp is deeper and I feel less swept away with adventure than when I began.

The bulldogs and I arrived at camp this evening after a long day of last minute errands and packing. This is the fifth time I've moved to camp, but this time around, I come into the summer a little bit wary and a little bit anxious. I feel the weight of responsibility and I know that camp is more than making s'mores and singing  songs.

As I sat down to dinner, the doors and windows were open and the breeze was blowing pleasantly. I was peacefully settled in when I heard the buzzing sound and thought a big bee had flown in. I looked up just as a hummingbird whizzed by. I was shocked into silence until the second, closer-to-my-head fly-by, at which point I screamed and dove for cover. My screams alerted the dogs, who promptly started freaking out. The hummingbird was still zooming around the dining room as I shouted, "everyone be cool" and silently thanked god no one could see the spectacle that was going on around me.

Eventually the hummingbird zoomed out the door and the dogs calmed down and I went back to eating dinner. 5 years later and the birds have gotten smaller, but continue to bring a little adventure into my day to day happenings. I am ready to give myself over to the experience of summer and lose myself in the magic of camp. I'm a little less carefree than I was 5 years ago, but I'm still living the dream and I would still prefer birds over cubicles any day.

Summer is here, let the adventures begin...