Last week I went to Wonderland Camp. It was a hot, fun,
incredibly adventurous week. I saw my old friends Dustin, Scott, Faith, Angie,
Mary, Morgan, Aaron, Hope, Ashley, Dawn, Lena (yes, there was another Lena in
my cabin), Colleen, Toby, Al, and Alena.
I also made new friends Katie, Ellen, Jennifer, Cole, Jade, and
Victoria. Along with the awesome camp counselors, there were also new
volunteers this year. Most of them were very nice but one was less enthusiastic
about camp; (I won’t say the name). I hung out with the nice ones anyway. On
Sunday, we had the pool party. The water was ice cold but it was fun. Beach
balls were flying and Toby brought out the water guns. Everyone was goofing
around, getting soaked. It was so much fun!
On Monday, we had Rec, Nature, Arts and Crafts, and Game
Room in the morning. In Rec, we got on the field and kicked around soccer
balls. I was actually good at kicking. I almost kicked a ball in a goal. In
Arts and Crafts, we tie-dyed our camp shirts. I made mine red and blue with a
spiral. In Nature, we went up into the tree house and told stories. I like it
in the tree house. It’s cool to look down and see nothing but green. In the
game room, I just hung out and listened to the jukebox.
Later that afternoon, it was pool time. I went on the splash
pad. The splash pad is like a mini water park with all types of sprinklers and
hoses. They ran me through it while I sat in a shower chair. It was a
blast! I became obsessed with the splash
pad and went there during pool time for the rest of the week.
On Monday evening, we had karaoke. I danced and hung out
with Dustin, Scott, Cole, and Faith. I also sang Avril Lavigne’s “Don’t Tell
Me”. The night rocked! I love my camp friends!!
On Tuesday, we had Nature, Music, and Game Room. In Nature,
we had a treasure hunt and walked down a trail. The trail seemed never-ending
but it was great. The wooded, rocky area that we were in reminded me of a
colorful, magical forest from one of my fantasy stories. In Music, we sat
underneath the parachute and sang camp songs. With everyone from my cabin under
it, it looked like a big but crowded circus tent. Then in the game room, I
played a computer game.
Later that evening, we had a movie night. We watched a movie
called “Heavyweights”. It was about some kids who go to fat camp and have to
stand up to the mean camp director. It was funny, just a cute Disney
movie. I ate the popcorn too for
once. It tasted delicious.
On Wednesday, we went to the water front in the morning to
ride the boat. The boat ride was bumpy and relaxing. I almost dozed off again.
Then on the way back to the cabin, I had a slight mishap. My back wheel fell
off and lost its screw. I was not happy at all but they fixed it.
Later that afternoon, we had Arts and Crafts and Music. In
Arts and Crafts, we painted wind chimes. Then we got to draw anything that we
wanted. I drew pictures of witches and Freddy Krueger. I’m strange, what can I
say? In Music, we practiced for the talent show.
Later that evening, it was the talent show. There were a lot
of entertaining skits and songs. For our group talent, we did a skit where we
acted like we were on “America’s Got Talent”. Three of us were the judges,
while some of us danced, some of us sang, and some of us played instruments. I
sang in the skit. For my individual talent, I read a poem that I wrote called
“Unmask the Witch”. I like reading my stuff aloud at camp. I’m less nervous and
it’s fun. I always love the talent show but this year there was the most
hilarious skit ever! Two campers had a pretend wedding. The bride danced down
‘the aisle’ and Toby acted as ‘the minster’. Goofy Toby started ‘the ceremony’
with “When I think of marriage, I think of Donkey Kong…” Their pretend vows were like, “Promise to
sit by each other at meals…Promise to dance at the dance.” Then they exchanged
fanny packs and hugged. Everyone was laughing so hard.
On Thursday, it was open activities. In Nature, we shot BB
guns. I shot a BB by myself once. I didn’t hit the target but it felt cool to
pull the trigger on my own. In Music, we learned some new dances. In Beauty
Shop, the girls got ready for the dance. I got my nails painted purple and my
hair spiked up into a Mohawk. I wore a white and black top, my favorite pair of
skinny jeans, my black shoes, and dark make-up.
Later, after a cool candlelit dinner, the dance started.
Lights were twirling and music was booming throughout the dinning hall. I
danced with everyone but the one dance that I’ll always remember is the one
with Scott. With help from Faith, he took me out of my chair and slow danced
with me. We danced as our friends watched and took pictures. This might sound
dorky but I felt like a princess for a few moments. I don’t get to slow dance
often so that was very special to me. Scott, you’re such a good friend. Thank
you. The dance was amazing!
On Friday, it was awards. I got the “Cool Sunglasses Queen”
award because I traded sunglasses with Dustin and I always wore them. Then
after awards, we played bingo. Scott helped me. When my parents got there,
Scott and Dustin walked with me to my cabin and hugged me goodbye. Last week
was wonderful. Though Fridays are bittersweet, I know that Wonderland Camp will
always be there. The next time that I’m there, I’ll have even more
adventures.
My mom and I went to the mall today and I was excited. Mom willingly going to the mall is rare because she hates shopping (unlike me who would blow all of my money if I had my way :) ). We were going upstairs and headed towards the elevator. We saw that the elevator was out of order and we both sighed. I realize that to other people, this would be no big deal and they would just take the escalator but to someone who can't walk, it's slightly annoying. Mom and I wandered around Macy's, trying to find an elevator. They had one but it only went up and down the levels of that store, not the mall levels themselves. Even though it was irritating, I was still having fun and looking around. Finally, a friendly guard showed us another mall elevator. He was so nice. He's probably a cool grandpa.
After our mini adventure, we continued our shopping. I got things like a pink and black skull book bag and an Edward Cullen t-shirt from Hot Topic. It was a very good day but the reason why I wrote this entry is to tell all malls to make sure all of their elevators are working. Handicapped people and their caregivers depend on them.
It’s a sunny, calm afternoon. We’re sitting on top of a
spacious hill looking over the huge school building. The spring grass has been
freshly cut and is the lightest green. The sky is brightest blue and the
dazzling sun is shining through the fluffy clouds with all types of colors
surrounding them. The warm sun is also hitting our faces, giving me a sense of
peace. We’re supposed to be at school in math class but you always have ways to
make me break some of the rules.
Since the fifth grade, you, Patrick Healings and I, Rebecca
Gullveig have been practically attached to the hip. We did everything together
and swore to be best friends forever. You didn’t care that I had cerebral palsy
and was in a wheelchair, and I didn’t care that you had dyslexia and sometimes
needed help with reading. We took care of each other. It was us against the
world. Back then you were like an older
brother but now we’re older and in ninth grade. I’ve secretly began to feel
more deeper feelings for you than just friendship and noticing other things
about you; things like your incredible smile that makes my stomach fill up with
butterflies, your forget-me-not blue eyes that light up like fireworks when you
laugh, the way you always want to protect me, and the warmth and tightness of
your embrace when we hug. I haven’t told you yet of course but my feelings have
been getting stronger every day.
Now we’re dancing playfully on the hill with you twirling,
dipping my wheelchair. Sometimes it feels like I’ll tip over at any moment but
you catch me each time. I know that you won’t let anything bad happen to me. My
heart is racing and I’m laughing loudly. As you continue to spin me around, I
see a surreal and remarkable sight in the sky. Appearing out of nowhere, there
are mini, individual, radiant rainbows scattered randomly across the sky. Each
rainbow has shades of red, blue, green, violet, and pink and has a cotton
ball-like cloud at their end. I’m in shock and awe. You’ve stopped spinning me
to gaze up at them as well. The town hasn’t seen a drop of rain today so seeing
any rainbow at all is considered peculiar but seeing so many at once is just
completely bizarre.
“They are so beautiful,” I muse breathlessly.
“They sure are,” you agree.
“It looks like we’ll have a very strange spring this year,”
I smile.
“Hey Rebecca, do you have a date for the spring dance on
Friday?” you ask, changing the subject abruptly. I’m taken aback a little by
the question.
“No, why?” I reply calmly, trying to ignore the leaping
heart in my chest.
“I’m going to ask Kelsey Maurelle to the dance and I was
hoping that you and I could double date, that’s all,” you explain.
Kelsey Maurelle is so mean to you but you refuse to see it.
She teases you behind your back (I’ve defended you more than once) and she
never acknowledges you unless she wants money for lunch. She knows that you
like her and she uses it to her full advantage. Still, you think that she’s an
absolute angel. I see one of the rainbows to the right go dim and its cloud
darken slightly at the mention of her name. I hold back laughter. Instead of
getting catty and listing all of the reasons why you shouldn't ask her, I tell
a little white lie.
“Patrick, I think that I heard some guy ask her already
before biology today,” I tell you.
“I bet that it was that Stephen guy, wasn’t it?” you sigh. I
just shrug my shoulders.
“I’m so sorry,” I say softly. You look so disappointed that
I’m wondering if I did the right thing.
“It’s alright,” you sigh again, “I didn’t have a chance in
hell with her anyway.”
“That’s not true…,” I say, hating the discouraged look on
your face and for some reason, also loathing the rainbow that is getting darker
now, on the verge of being purely black.
Then an idea comes to me. I say, trying to sound as
nonchalant as possible, “Hey, I have a crazy idea. Why don’t you and I go to
the dance instead?”
“Together?” you ask.
“Yeah, why not?” I reply with humor, “You’re cooler than any
other guy at school. Do you really want me just to take a loser that I barely
know?”
You chuckle and still smiling, you say, “No and I guess that
you’re the coolest girl I know, so sure, let’s go to the dance and party!”
“Awesomeness,” I smile. We then both laugh at ourselves.
When I look at the rainbow on the right again, it’s brightening up once more. I
feel beyond giddy about going to the dance with you but I hide it. Just then,
the school bell for the end of that hour rings in the distance.
“We better head back before we get caught,” I say.
“Okay,” you agree. We gaze up at the abnormal rainbows for a
moment again before leaving. Then you go behind me to help me down the hill. As
we head towards the school, the rainbows slowly disappear except for one. It’s
the one rainbow on the right. It suddenly begins to grow large and its
astonishing colors expand over us and we go under it like a bridge.
The rainbow won’t leave after that day. It’s there for the
rest of our high school years, it’s there when our friendship turns into true
love, it’s there for our wedding, and it’s there for us to show our children.
People say that there’s a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow but we’ve had
something more precious than gold. I believe that love can be found underneath
a magical rainbow or anywhere else people least expect.
(c)Lena Holdman, all rights reserved 2012
This is based off a dream that I had the other morning. :)
