Chapter 13

My camper this year was Kyle, He was 8 years old, very cute (blonde hair and big blue eyes) and had Spina Bifida. He could walk with a walker for short distances but for the most part was dependent upon his wheel chair. When we were around other people he was sweet, shy and very careful not to let me out of his sight. He soon became a camp favorite.

Although he was by no means overly difficult, when we were alone he could be bossy, stubborn and demanding. Whenever I tried to make him do something, like get dressed in the morning, he would tell me "I don't love you anymore" or "bad counselor". But even when he said these things, he said them in a soft voice that was very hard to get mad at. He could tell when you were really on the verge of getting mad, and would give in.

One evening we were sitting at a picnic table. I got up to get Kyle a drink from the jug on another table. I only got a couple steps when I heard "COUNSELOR". It was the loudest voice Kyle used all week, but was really not much more than a loud whisper. I quickly turned around. The problem was one of the other counselors had sat down beside Kyle and started talking to him. Kyle ignored them until I got back. He made me sit between him and the other counselor, and then he would talk to them.

One morning we were running a little late for breakfast and I was helping Kyle get dressed when he said "NO! Barney". I asked him what he wanted and he said he wanted to wear his Barney underwear. I tried to explain that all the Barney underwear was dirty.

"Bad Counselor" was his reply.

"Come on Kyle, we have to get ready, can't you wear Bugs Bunny Instead" I pleaded.

"I don't love you anymore" Kyle countered.

"O.K. Kyle, if you put Bugs Bunny on I'll get some Barney washed for later"

What a relief a major situation defused.

Timmy Lane, a camper from last year, was also in our cabin. Kyle quickly picked Timmy as his "big brother". Timmy loved the attention. He told Kyle he was a fireman and saved hundreds of lives. Kyle took it all in and looked at Timmy with great admiration. Timmy would often ask what he could do to help with Kyle. If Timmy was there Kyle wouldn't care if I had to leave the room for a second. We dubbed ourselves the Three Musketeers.

Timmy entertained Kyle by pretending he was banging his head against the wall and then kicking the wall to make a noise. Kevin G., who was also in our cabin and was the second member of the Timmy fan club, tried to imitate Timmy's trick. He forgot one part - he really banged his head.

When it came time to decide if we wanted to sleep in the teepees Jeremy, a new counselor, tried to ask Bobby, in sign language, if he wanted to sleep in the teepee. Bobby misunderstood him and thought he was asking him to sleep in the toilet. To make the sign for toilet, you make the sign for the letter T then shake your hand back and forth. Bobby got a look on his face that let Jeremy know in no uncertain terms that he thought he was missing a few marbles and motioned for him to go away. Needless to say, Bobby slept in his bed that night.

One evening after worship Matt, the counselor, was picked to receive "100 gifts". What this meant was each camper threw whipped cream, dumped breadcrumbs, and threw water balloons at him. When it was Kyle's turn he was a little cautious about it. After we were finished and Matt was standing there, a sticky mess, Kyle looked up at me and in a very concerned voice asked if Matt was mad.

This year for "lake time" we gave the campers a choice of swimming, boating, or playing in the creek. Most of the action seemed to center on the creek. There would constantly be water battles. Kyle would want to join in, so I would carry him out to the middle of the action and sit down in the creek. He would take a cup fill it with water, pull his arm back to throw the water, then accidentally dump it on me. He did this over and over not realizing most of the water was ending up on me.

Once again, we found ourselves facing the toughest part of the week, saying good-bye. We went down to the dining hall for our last meal together this year. We share the dining hall with a fourth and fifth grade camp. After the meal they all stood up and sang the Amy Grant song "Hey Now" as they walked around the room hugging our campers. Because these kids were at such an awkward age when they, especially the boys, are usually hesitant about showing their feelings the moment was particularly touching. Once in a while we find ourselves in a place and time when everything in the world seems right and good, this was one of those moments. No one walked out with dry eyes.

Kyle's parents were a little late. I was sitting out on the porch with Kyle and counselor Matt. Out of nowhere Kyle looked up at me with those big blue eyes, wrapped his arms around me and said, "I love you". I looked over at Matt and saw him wipe the tears from his eyes, get up and walk away. Later he told me that if he had stayed he would have started crying.

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