I recieved a candy gram at the carnival today. It said: "I love you Altie, so much! Love, Rivka."
This is from a camper, who's 6 years old. She is a difficult camper. i.e. she hardly ever listens, she does what she wants when she wants to, she doesnt join her bunk for line up, or any activity that she doesn't like. She complains every day about a 'stomach ache' when she doesn't want to participate. But when it comes to swimming, or a fun trip, she's instantly all better. Know who I'm talking about? I'm sure all counselors have encountered a camper like this at least once.
I had a camper like this last summer. He never listened. He made my day heck. And then at the end of the day, he's throw his small arms around me, and tell me he had a great day. And I would almost cry, at the irony of it.
It got me thinking. I can't remember most of my campers names from last summer. Their faces are blurry. I'm sure I have the pictures stored somewhere, if I bothered to look for them. But I don't bother. It was a good summer, you say goodbye, and it's over. I was never good with keeping in touch, and it's all the more harder when your camper is 6, and forgets who you are when you're not there.
So what have I really accomplished? After the summers over, and the kids are back in school, and the memories from summer slowly begin to fade, what will be left from this summer? I always wonder if they will remember my name next summer. If they will tell the new head counselor, 'Altie did it differently. We liked her way better.' Or will they tell her, 'You are so much prettier and nicer than our head counselor from last summer." (Like they told me.) Does it matter, though? I think not.
I don't care if they remember me, just like I won't necessarily remember them. Is that bad? No. Imagine if you went through life shlepping around all the contacts that you've ever met. That would be quite a load. So I try to keep up with the closest ones.
But that- 'I love you Altie." That will stay with me, long after this summer. Whether or not she'll remember me, it meant a lot to me to hear after a long day in camp. They will remember the important things, just like I will.
And thats what makes all the difference.
he made your day heck...
ReplyDeleteit's a good feeling when a kid says that.
ReplyDeleteI remember I had that same thing where the kids would drive me crazy, but then at the end they would hug me and say they love me, and it would be all worth it. I think I even wrote a post about it once.
But I remember practically everyone. I was a counselor in a day camp for 2/3 year olds, a bunch of years ago. Now I see the kids and I remember them, but they were young so of course they don't remember me. Even the older kids that I used to watch after camp hours - the staff kids, I watched them for like 3 years, yet they don't all remember me, but I remember them.
it seems so self serving - we only like kids because they love us? its a feeling i've had too.
ReplyDeletesometime i wonder why we like kids. i mean, really. is it worth it?
I always think about it... Like will these kids ever remember a thing I taught them? and I always wondered that just cuz I say I love you to the mevery day, and they dont back, does it mean thet dont? Im not sure. But I will stay n touch with them... at least rembertheir names... that way when they become fanous.... ;)
ReplyDeleteMy family are baalei teshuva.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in elementary school I went to a Chabad run hebrew day school. In the summer I went to the local Gan Izzy. Every Shabbos I went to shul and went to youth groups or whatever there was. In highschool I completely fried out because I couldn't deal with tayvah but I was never like my friends who said they not believe anymore. Because of this I was eventually able to find my way back. I am 100 percent certain that this pure emunah was instilled into me in these holy camps and schools and chabad houses. I can't remember anymore more than a few details from camp or school as a little kid except that it was so lichtig! You can not understand how much of a positive effect you can have even on 7 year old spoiled brats! You dont need to understand! You just need to keep inspiring!
Just a thought-if you are amazing they won't necessarily remember YOU, but they will have a positive feeling toward daycamp, Chabad, and Yiddishkeit.
ReplyDeleteIf you are a horrible counselor-they will remember you, and but harbor negative feelings toward the aforementioned.
chanale- language gurly.
ReplyDeleteJewish- one year after the summer I saw my campers in shul on rosh hashana, and they were happy to see me. Another year I called my campers for the 1st 2 shabbos's after camp, and they liked it. But they are little, time passes, they forget you...
cheerio- is it? you may never know. they might feel important to u, or loved, cuz of one small thing u said. is it selfish if u only like the 'good' kids, the cute ones who behave? if u get mad and punish the trouble makers all the time? i dont know. just wait till u have your own kids.
feivel- you are right. thank you, that was uplifting.
c- thank you, that was uplifting!! now i feel the need to try harder... truth be told, i think im doing fine in that area b''h. they seem to like me, though i dont know why...
feivel thats a really incredible story! thanks for letting us CGI counselors know we make a difference.
ReplyDeleteCuz you are great at what you do!
ReplyDelete:) awww u are sweeet! thanks!
ReplyDelete