Carrie Link

OUTDOOR SCHOOL DAY 5- HE'S HOME!

Bus was due to pull up at 1:30, STM and I were both poised ready at 1:25, nearly frantic by 2:15 when if finally arrived. How did he do? Did he sleep? Was he warm enough? Did he eat? Did he take his meds? Was he up at 5:15 and driving everyone crazy? Did he cry? Was he lonely?

Great.

Yes.

Won't say, so probably, yes.

Not really, but that's okay.

Yes.

No.

I found him first, gave him a big hug which he endured with a smile, but it was Daddy's arms he was looking for.

"So, Mom, did the ice cream truck come when I was gone? Did you remember to take in the garbage and recycling on Thursday when I was gone? What time is Woohoo coming home? Can we go to the park?" HE was full of questions, there was no getting OUR questions in edge wise! He was wearing JUST what I sent him in yesterday, plus a shirt. Why actually CHANGE your shirt, when you can just layer another one on TOP! (He is his father's son.)

Finally - and painfully - extracted that he'd slept until 6:45(!) and then Tsunami took him to the nurses for his meds, and because he was QUITE janked up and the rest of his cabin was asleep, he and Tsunami played tether ball and basketball for 45 minutes until the others woke up.

How do I properly thank a person I've never met, probably never will, but who made it possible for me to sleep Thursday night? I'm putting love and blessings out into the ethers, and praying they find their target.

When St. Kathleen left yesterday she handed the baton to Tsunami and two of his Rojo's friends, one in charge of reminding him to pee, and the other charged with keeping him warm. "I'll just go ahead and lay out his hat and warm clothes on his bed, so we don't forget," said 12-year-old-going-on-40, N.

Several times throughout the day Thursday, Tsunami would flash Rojo the thumbs up sign and say, "I got your back, Rojo, I got your back!" Finally, after about the fourth time, Rojo turned to St. Kathleen and asked, "What does 'I've got your back' mean?" After she explained it was just an expression, that he didn't actually HAVE his back, that it just meant he would watch out for him, take care of him, defend and protect him, Rojo was able to fully relax. I actually think Rojo knew 2 seconds into meeting Tsunami that he "had his back" but nonetheless, always nice to know your back is safe and sound, and nobody plans to "have" it.


I may never meet you, Tsunami, but don't you worry. I have your back.