A Cry to MyLot

Tap Dance Recital
@DianneN (246452)
United States
June 25, 2016 5:38am CST
I couldn't sleep past 5:30AM, which is unheard of for me. Once I popped out of bed, so did my husband. He went to the kitchen to put on the coffee, feed Doodles, got the newspaper, put on the news, and made breakfast. I went to myLot after texting my grandkids and son. Our 8 year old granddaughter is on her way to the airport to fly to Maine for 7 weeks of overnight camp. The camp has a chartered plane and leaves from New York. Of course I'm worried about her flying alone with only campers, counsellors, and one of the camp owners. Once they land, a camp bus will drive them to their camp on a beautiful lake. All camp uniforms and paraphernalia have been unpacked last week and beds are made. All she has to do is have fun. She also has a much better ice skating coach this year. She still has 5 practices and routines per week which the camp will bus her to five minutes away. This will be her second summer of leaving her friends and family behind. She is so independent for such a little pipsqueak. I received her camp address two weeks ago, so once I post this, I will begin the first of many letters. I'm going to miss her so much! Thanks to myLot for letting me cry my heart out.
41 people like this
47 responses
@LadyDuck (453792)
• Switzerland
25 Jun 16
Do not cry and do not worry Dianne. I think to remember that last year you went to visit her and she loved so much her experience.
3 people like this
@LadyDuck (453792)
• Switzerland
25 Jun 16
@DianneN I messed up, I thought you visited her, surely you mentioned that the parents visited her.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
25 Jun 16
@LadyDuck No problem. I wish I could visit her and make a vacation out of it in Maine stuffing myself with lobster like her parents do!
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
25 Jun 16
I'm feeling better now knowing she flew up with some old and new camper friends. I never visited her at camp. Only parents are allowed for visiting day, drop off and pick up. Since it's an all girls camp, the final weekend the moms can bunk with the girls and participate in their activities. She did love her experience and told me that she's excited to go again. I'm happy for her, even though I think she's too young.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (48250)
• Canada
25 Jun 16
I think that missing someone that you love so dearly would make me lose sleep too. I remember how much our son would miss Papa when they would travel and be gone for a few months at a time. He would really look forward to the postcards, and the phone calls. Those would lift his spirits so much, because when he was really small, he had a hard time understanding how someone can be so far away and not be lost-funny eh? I'm sure that you've got lots of cute stationary that you can send her letters on. And it will make your heart happy when she replies. And mine too, because I love to hear all about the different things that she's into and enjoying.
3 people like this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
25 Jun 16
She is used to her parents and grandparents traveling, and us leaving for Florida. I know she has a sense of distance, too, since she's traveled far and often with her mommy, daddy, and brother. I just want her to have a safe flight, which leaves at 8:00 and a healthy, safe, and fun summer. I can't wait to find out what activities she chose this summer. Ice skating is a given. I'm too upset and worried to walk with my friends today. I'll let you know when I find out. Parents visiting day should provide photos. I'll try to look up the camp photos online, too. Once she takes off, I will write that letter.
4 people like this
@Juliaacv (48250)
• Canada
25 Jun 16
@DianneN Her plane should have just taken off, I'm sure that her hopes are soaring for a wonderful summer, hold on to that until she lands.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
25 Jun 16
@Juliaacv She should be landing now. Her mother posted this photo of new friends and old who flew up with her. I'm happy she knew some girls. That makes it easier. She was really looking forward to camp again. I feel a lot better now. My little princess!
3 people like this
@dodo19 (47007)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
25 Jun 16
It can't be easy to see her go away like that for so long. I'm sure she'll be fine, and she'll have loads of fun.
2 people like this
@dodo19 (47007)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
25 Jun 16
I'm sure it's not always easy to see her leave. @DianneN
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
25 Jun 16
She's the one who decided that's what she intended to do age age 6, so they looked at her mother's camp and this one. Off she went last summer and loved it. It hurts the ones left behind.
2 people like this
@Lucky15 (37346)
• Philippines
25 Jun 16
Xoxo. Mylot.has been my outlet.too. am not a crying baby im.front of other people. Lol
2 people like this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
25 Jun 16
Thanks. I'm home, so I can freely cry like a baby. Lol!
2 people like this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
25 Jun 16
@Lucky15 I cry wherever I am. Lol!
1 person likes this
@Lucky15 (37346)
• Philippines
25 Jun 16
@DianneN haha. Me..i.cry on the bathroom
2 people like this
• United States
25 Jun 16
That is a long camp! I cried my eyes out at a 3 week camp I was so homesick. It's turnaround here! Now is the time for you to have fun making cards, embellishing envelopes with fun stickers and washi tape and sending care packages. You can send her the best mail! Always include a self address stamped envelope and some cute paper she will want to use and stickers. You are in for a treat if she will write back! It's as much fun as postcards! 8 year olds are such fun and at a good age to love mail and pen pals. My teen age grandkids deign to send texts back but only write than you notes. Thank goodness for Christmas and birthdays!
2 people like this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
25 Jun 16
What is washi tape? Lol! She already has stamped envelopes with everyone's addresses. Same as last year. Her camp won't allow phones or care packages. The mail she will love! She told me she wrote to me several times last year, but I never received one letter. She does write fairly faithfully to her parents, so I get the news. Her mom found all the addressed and stamped envelopes in a heap under her bed on the last day of camp. Stinker!
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
25 Jun 16
@Jeanniemaries Thank you! I will look for it. And I love your ideas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1 person likes this
• United States
25 Jun 16
@DianneN Washi tape is decorative tape that is wildly popular right now. It is repositionable so you can take if off and reuse it or save it. It's fun to decorate envelopes with and even a different strip at the top of each paper in the letter. Right now Tuesday Morning has it on sale for $1.00 a roll. There are hundreds of patterns and colors. I gave my mom a roll with cats on them! She loves it. Include in her letter a stamped post card with a list of questions she can just answer and mail or just check yes or no to your questions. She'll like that.
2 people like this
@sj3011 (623)
25 Jun 16
Relax and don't worry she is a strong girl.
2 people like this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
25 Jun 16
I'll try to relax, once I hear she arrives safely.
@cacay1 (83270)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
25 Jun 16
Approved she is a very smart and brave girl.
1 person likes this
@sj3011 (623)
25 Jun 16
@DianneN she will and your tension is not going to change what is written in destiny
2 people like this
• United States
27 Jun 16
So hard watching our grandbabies become independant. Here's a big hug from me.
1 person likes this
• United States
27 Jun 16
@DianneN my eldest grandson is now 15. Hard to believe that one.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
27 Jun 16
Thank you. I needed that hug. They are growing up too fast.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
27 Jun 16
@ElusiveButterfly Wow! I hope I'm around to see mine when they hit 15!
1 person likes this
@Blondie2222 (28613)
• United States
27 Jun 16
She will be okay hopefully you can text her while she's there and make sure that she is okay. Atleast you can write her and she can write back that's a plus. I used to do summer camp when I was little and I enjoyed it.
1 person likes this
@Blondie2222 (28613)
• United States
28 Jun 16
@DianneN I enjoyed camp as a kid too and didn't want to leave. Not sure what they our like now a days though.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
28 Jun 16
@Blondie2222 My sons went to overnight camp. It wasn't much different from mine. My granddaughter goes to a great camp in Maine. They have all kinds of activities and sports that my camp never thought of!
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
27 Jun 16
Thanks for your input. This camp only allows letters. I went once to sleepover camp for one month, and I loved it. My parents wouldn't let me return.
1 person likes this
@much2say (53552)
• Los Angeles, California
26 Jun 16
I remember when she went to camp last year - wow, how time flies - it's that camp time again! I just know she will have a super 7 weeks and have many more adventures. Ah, I know you will miss her . . . but she's a champ - very independent for her age - she'll be just fine.
1 person likes this
@much2say (53552)
• Los Angeles, California
26 Jun 16
@DianneN Ah, then it's comforting to know she's already with friends and familiar faces! Do you know if there other kids in the same camp who get to skate too?
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
26 Jun 16
Yes, same camp. I'm positive she will love it. At least I found out that she flew up with two girls she new last year.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
26 Jun 16
@much2say There were 4 or 5 other girls last year who are competitive figure skaters like my ice princess. The camp only offers skating to the girls who must practice their routines with a coach that each parent has to hire. The camp did have an ice skating day there for all the girls. The rink is not owned by the camp. They just provide transportation.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (110603)
• El Paso, Texas
25 Jun 16
Oh you poor baby .... well, look at it as memories she will share with everyone when she's home. Imagine all the stories she will want to share with you.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (110603)
• El Paso, Texas
25 Jun 16
Yeah, all things Vegas stays there @DianneN right? You're in for such a treat when she comes back, she'll want to tell you all about all those new things she's done and new friends she's made.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
25 Jun 16
She's more grown up than her old bag of a grandma. What happens in camp stays in camp. No, that's Vegas! Lol!
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
25 Jun 16
@rebelann She met Annie Leibovitz's adopted daughter and Red Hot Chili Pepper's daughter last year.
1 person likes this
@tech40 (23136)
• Philippines
25 Jun 16
myLot is like a big diary for me.
1 person likes this
@tech40 (23136)
• Philippines
25 Jun 16
@DianneN Yeah specially to me that I'm not good at english
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
25 Jun 16
@tech40 You are doing great so far! Reading and writing are the best ways to help you, and also watching movies and TV.
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
25 Jun 16
It helps us in more ways than one!
@cacay1 (83270)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
25 Jun 16
So cute and pretty baby, she will surely grow independent and strong.Your granddaughter is a smart girl full of potentials.Just keep on texting or calling her.
2 people like this
@cacay1 (83270)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
26 Jun 16
@DianneN Oh, sorry to know about many bans.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
25 Jun 16
Thank you so much. I know they love to get mail from home, so I will be doing a lot of writing this summer. We aren't allowed to text or call. They can't have phones or other worldly goods there. I can't even send food or presents.
1 person likes this
@just4him (302278)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
27 Jun 16
I'm sure she will be fine. I wonder though if you will be. I'm here to help cheer you up and let you know that she's going to have a great camp again this year, and you have nothing to worry about. By the way, that's a great picture of her. I do remember your posts about camp last year. I think you were a basket case then too. Just saying it like it is. So down your coffee and think happy thoughts. She'll be home before you know it.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
27 Jun 16
I know I can count on you to cheer me up for anything! I'm usually a basket case in general. Lol! Hopefully, I will know more from her first letter if she returns the check off list I sent her in a self addressed stamped envelope. Lol! I took that photo when she was on stage listening to the tap dancing director thanking everyone after the performance. Thank you and hugs!
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
5 Jul 16
1 person likes this
@just4him (302278)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
3 Jul 16
@DianneN So that's why she wrote that sweet letter I already read about. A bribe with a self addressed stamped envelope will do it every time. It's a great picture of her, and cheer up, she's missing you, I guarantee it - in between all the fun activities she's doing all day long. I'm sure she has a thought for her dear sweet Grandmama.
1 person likes this
@paigea (35452)
• Canada
25 Jun 16
I can imagine how much you will miss her. I should write letters to my great nephew.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
25 Jun 16
Is your great nephew at camp, too?
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
26 Jun 16
@paigea Lucky you! I'm sure you will love every moment.
1 person likes this
@paigea (35452)
• Canada
26 Jun 16
@DianneN No, I just don't live close to him and don't see him enough, I am going to babysit him for a week next month. I am looking forward to that.
1 person likes this
@Drosophila (16573)
• Ireland
26 Jun 16
I hope she has arrived safely
1 person likes this
@Drosophila (16573)
• Ireland
26 Jun 16
@DianneN that is great to hear!
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
26 Jun 16
She did. I'm so relieved!!!!!
1 person likes this
• Eugene, Oregon
26 Jun 16
Seven weeks seems a long time for a child of only eight. I could not have let my daughter go for so long at that age, though I was a single working father.
1 person likes this
• Eugene, Oregon
27 Jun 16
@DianneN I did my best, though not always, and she and I are still speaking regularly, so it was good overall I think. Thanks for that comment!
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
26 Jun 16
She went last year when she just turned 7. She is the one who wanted to go. Perhaps growing up in Manhattan made her more sure of herself. She loved it last year and took horseback riding, water skiing, drama, gymnastics, arts and crafts, rock climbing, etc. I thought she was too young, but she proved me wrong. I'm sure being a single working father must have been rough, but I'm sure you were a fantastic dad!
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66861)
• Philippines
26 Jun 16
she is turning into an independent lady, so you may just have to trust her
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
26 Jun 16
She is becoming very worldly at her young age. Trust her I do. I don't trust others, but she knows what's right and wrong.
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66861)
• Philippines
27 Jun 16
@DianneN me too. i trust my son but i don't fully trust those around him
• India
26 Jun 16
all the best safe journey,she is so cute indeed
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
26 Jun 16
Thank you! She arrived safely, so now I'm relieved.
• India
27 Jun 16
@DianneN me too,safe back ,i like her courage being so small
1 person likes this
@miniam (9154)
• Bern, Switzerland
25 Jun 16
Wow,7 week camp ls so long for such young age.Wish they had made it 3 weeks tops.But then camps help make kids so independent and they can make more friends. Will be worried too if l were you, will be thinking is she ok,did she eat enough,shower properly etc.I do fret quite alot.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
25 Jun 16
Unfortunately, it's for the entire 7 weeks or nothing at that camp. She went last year at her insistence, not knowing a soul. I thought she'd be too young after just turning 7 then, but she pulled through and loved it. She knew how to take showers and is a good eater. I thought she was too young, but she proved me wrong. She is a pip and so unlike me as a child.
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
25 Jun 16
@miniam She is more independent than brave. She has a zest for certain things. I'm just a dullard by comparison
@miniam (9154)
• Bern, Switzerland
25 Jun 16
@DianneN She`s a brave young lady.
1 person likes this
@responsiveme (22932)
• India
25 Jun 16
She sounds pretty independent. It must be pretty hard on you, I can understand. Happy letter writing and you update us on the welcome back party too.:)
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
25 Jun 16
She lives in Manhattan and as a result, has had many opportunities. She is a champion figure skater, appeared off Broadway in Peter Pan, modeled, tap dances, plays the piano, water skis, skis, horseback rides, has a zillion friends, and is a great student. Yet, I worry. I hope to find out what activities she chooses to do this year in camp.
2 people like this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
25 Jun 16
@responsiveme We are very proud of her. She works so hard in everything she does. Besides, she is the only girl in a long line of males on my side of the family. She's the daughter I never had. Sigh.
1 person likes this
• India
25 Jun 16
@DianneN you must be very proud of her. She sounds great.
1 person likes this