The Sick Girl At Camp…On Picture Day

At every camp that I have ever been to, the advisors and counselors tell a variety of funny stories from previous years, and one that always seems to come up is how one person got sick. They then proceed to tell you that if you ever feel sick, tell them immediately.

And every year, I laugh along with the others, for a few moments feeling bad for the sick person. Wouldn’t that just suck if you got sick the one time that you were hoping to have fun during your summer?

Well, guess what? This year, that lucky one was me. On picture day.

Yesterday, I woke up with the worst throat ache the history of the world has ever witnessed. I could barely open my mouth, and had to mime to my roommate what was going on. After I told the counselors, I was told to wait in my room until we would go to the doctor.

“Just great,” I thought.

I was already extremely homesick, and on top of that being actually sick? Worst. Feeling. Ever. I called my mom, and wanted her to come pick me up as soon as she could. She told me to hang in there. But how was I supposed to? Only my mom knows how I like to be treated when I’m sick, nobody else. I was about ready to give up, go home, and take a long nap.

But no, I went to the doctor, and found out I had strep throat. After a few hours, experiencing my first taste of hot tea, and missing the class trip to the local t.v. station, I realized how much I wanted to be here.

The counselors and teachers were so incredibly hospitable and nice to me. Nicole and Rich both missed the legendary workshop picture, just to take me to the clinic. Saba made me hot tea, and gave me amazing company all afternoon long. All my fellow students genuinely asked how I was feeling. My roommate, Lindsey looked out for me before and after I got my medicine.

And I wanted to go home? Everybody here was so willing to help me, so unlike what I had thought. It was a really satisfying feeling to know that people, other than my direct family and friends, cared about my well being.

Sure, I was sick, and I missed a day of classes. But I realized that there are genuine people out there, people that actually care about me and my decisions. And to be honest, it was worth getting sick to learn that.

If I went home yesterday, I know for a fact that at this time, I would regret it so much. Yes, I am still really homesick and can’t wait until next Friday. But by next week, I will be proud of myself for not giving up, not just taking the easy way out of my situation. I will know that I can get through times, even though I didn’t think I could at the beginning.

Right now, I am not just excited for next Friday because of seeing my mom at graduation. I am excited to fulfill my goal of being independent, being able to say that I stuck with something, no matter how hard it was for me. I am excited to get to know better some of the amazing people at this workshop.

Because by next Friday, I know I will wish it was Wednesday night, the night I wrote this blog.