Canoe Parade

Today we had a parade. Not just any parade, a canoe parade! Cabins decorated either a canoe or a kayak and then the counselors paddled them from the boating bay to sunset beach, where all of the kids were sitting to watch the parade. I miss out on so much programming, but I was excited about the parade because I was going to take Baby X and we were going to watch.

A little while before the parade was to begin, the counselors were getting boats ready, Lead Staff T came and said, "Olivia is going to be the grand marshal. I'm going to paddle her in my canoe." I said, "Ok, just be sure her life jacket is on tight." I was pretty sure Olivia would be fine in the canoe, but bulldogs sink so quickly and the water is deep, and it's been a few years since she's worn her life jacket, so after I agreed to it, I started to get a little nervous. And that's how I ended up in the front of the canoe, paddling in the parade.

It wasn't until we got about halfway to Sunset Beach that 'T' said, "I never thought you'd go for this!" and I said, "I didn't think you were asking!" 'T' doesn't realize that for years, I involved Olivia in everything at camp. And the more ridiculous, the better! Of course I would think putting her in a canoe would be a good idea. But he doesn't know me like that. He was just tickled that his boss was part of the parade and allowed the dog to be in it. And I was sad because I wanted to be like, "you don't get it. I have been the CENTER of fun and silliness and hoopla for YEARS!" Staff from a few years ago would NOT have been surprised to see Olivia in a canoe and me right by her side.

We paraded in the canoe and Olivia was perfect, regal, adorable- she's such an incredibly good dog when she's got a purpose. I wonder if she wasn't thinking the same thoughts I was- about how she always used to be part of things and at the center of the action.

I was so happy to be back in the role that I love. I like being part of the fun. It felt good to participate.