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by Peg L. Smith, Chief Executive Officer
Taking what looks impossible and turning it into the possible . . .
that is what the camp experience does for many. Once you enter the camp
property, no matter who you are, you discover ways to accomplish things
you never felt you could do. That’s an incredible experience for
all involved.
When I was in the seventh grade, I was given an assignment from my home
economics teacher. Now there are many lessons in domesticity that failed
to resonate with me—but I digress. In this case, I knew what I
wanted to accomplish; I wanted to sew a beautiful emerald green, velvet
skirt for an upcoming teen dance. I had my vision, but when I opened
the pattern and saw the twelve steps you had to accomplish to reach success,
I was immediately overwhelmed. I moaned to my mother telling her I’d
never be able to sew the skirt. She never said a word; she simply walked
over to me, took the pattern, and folded it so I could only read the
first step.
It seems strange to my mother today, but that experience was one of
the most profound moments of learning in my life. I tend to have great
visions and dreams. Without that lesson, I believe I would have spent
my life constantly disappointed and overwhelmed. Instead, I have hung
onto my hopes and dreams while repeatedly folding the big pattern to
reveal only one step at a time. If I get discouraged, I simply keep my
eye on the big vision of ultimate success.
I found this to be true when I worked with children with special needs.
You never let go of your ultimate goal; yet, you celebrate every little
step that gets you closer to success!
Of course, I must admit that I put the zipper in backwards in my skirt.
I was so angry. I wanted to rip the skirt apart and admit defeat. Again,
my mother silently walked over and handed me the seam ripper. We all
make mistakes; it is what we do with the mistake that makes the difference.
My mother in her simplicity made a difference in my life. Although, I
never attempted to sew again, I had made a beautiful emerald green, velvet
skirt. Go out and help a camper reach success. It can even be done in
silent guidance.
Originally published in the 2007 July/August
issue of Camping Magazine. |
