Thursday, April 23, 2009

OUTDOOR SCHOOL DAY 3, AND TRUE LOVE

"I'm excited, am I?" Rojo asks as he jumps from the same car that only two days ago he nearly fell from. Partly it's the drop in temperature (40 degree drop in one day, welcome to Oregon), partly it's the fact that on Monday he was apprehensive, didn't know the routine, everything was a guessing game and now he OWNS the place, and partly it's because he's IN LOVE.

The picture above is of Rojo and his "girlfriend," J. He and J. have been "going out" for nearly two years. Could even be three, I lose track. I just know that every time I ask him if J. is still his girlfriend he gets OUTRAGED and says, "Mom! I told you, I'm never going to break up with her!"

St. Kathleen took this picture of the two of them, which is apparently indicative of how they move through Outdoor School. Her, by his side, gently guiding, reassuring, "holding space." Him, offering his undying love in return.

So, J. is his day in, day out, sweet and true love, but the new object of his love is TSUNAMI!

St. Kathleen says Tsunami isn't even bending over backwards for Rojo, but Rojo sees the light in his eyes that says, "I get you," and that has opened the magic door. Tsunami is a seasoned Outdoor School counselor, and specifically assigned to help this week with Rojo and another dear, sweet love of my life that we'll just call PK's son.

PK's son went up on the bus Sunday and won't be home until Friday. PK is a mess. Her son? A. Happy. Camper. Both of us have been worried sick, literally, for YEARS about how our boys would do.

They are fine.

And now so are we.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Love.

Maddy said...

My daughter's at science camp this week [a breeze for her] Next year my eldest son will go. I'm dreading it. Several of the fifth graders in his class haven't gone due to a lack of specific adult support. Maybe I should act now to ensure that he has a better chance. I'm so glad to hear that all is well.
Best wishes

Robin said...

Wow, such big news!! I am so happy for both of you.

Wanda said...

How does it get any better than this?

Love.

Kim said...

I adore you all. There isn't a person in this entire story that I don't love.

Michelle O'Neil said...

So precious. Rojo has it under control!

So great.

Anonymous said...

I'm smiling.

Tanya @ Teenautism said...

So glad that Rojo is having a great week!

We had the 40-degree drop down at the southern end of the state as well. Big bummer. Oh, well. At least the sun is still shining!

pixiemama said...

So sweet! I thought girlfriends would be my nightmare. You might (might!) have just changed my mind a teeeeeeeeeny tiny hair.

maybe. Stinking cute!

And yes, you are - so, so very fine.

love!

Anonymous said...

How sweet it is

Deb Shucka said...

Sending blessings for the sleepover. Loving that Rojo's mojo works in the broader world.

Angie Ledbetter said...

Sweet sweet blessings!

Jerri said...

Although I'm thrilled for Rojo and delighted to hear Outdoor School is going so well, I'm also kind of stuck on realizing how useless worry is.

Really working on "do what you can and then let go." This story actually helps. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

ok, so i'm not one of those people who 'types through tears' but guess what .. darby is literally wiping my streaked face as i type.

this got me.

all of it.

the fact that there is a 'j' ~ the heartbreaking innocent sweetness in 'i'll never break up with her'

tsunami ~ the light in his eyes that says, "I get you"

a mother who so obviously understands and cherishes her incredible son

truly, what more could any of us ask for?

Drama Mama said...

I won't even tell you how jealous I am for Miss M.