Dang... these kids are starting to wear me out. I haven't had time to write because we've been so busy, and I've needed my free time to sleep.
Today between group sessions, most of the campers (kids & adults) went on a big, fun picnic at this place called Avondale, which is under half an hour's drive away from here. The day was gorgeous and sunny, perfect for the picnic. After we ate, they organized everyone into groups to play different games at different stations around this large open field. I was feeling rather tired then and not in the mood for more socializing for a while, so I went off by myself and explored the woods around that area of the property. (There is a manor house there that used to belong to some important Irish government guy - forget his name. ... P_______.) [Edit: Charles Parnell; I believe he was a leader in the Irish war for independence from England.]
Anyway, I walked the shadowy trails of the wood, feeling dreamy and enchanted and wishing I would meet elves or fairies or leprechauns. Just thinking about all the history of this place, all the legends... I tried to imagine Celtic warriors running through the very woods where I stood today, but hundreds of years ago, maybe in the midst of a battle, fighting for their lands, their faces painted with blue woad markings, their bows and arrows ready. ...
I also thought of Winter Rose, a Patricia McKillip book I finished shortly before leaving for Ireland. I felt like Rois, the wild child wandering the woods, who didn't quite fit in with the rest of her little village's people. She first saw the man she would come to love at the edge of the wood, from where she sat beside a well, as he stepped out of a fall of light. There was no well in Avondale that I saw, but there were little falls of light here and there throughout the wood, where the sun was able to filter through branches and dapple the forest floor. It was so beautiful. ... Oh my goodness. I am in Wicklow. And it is gorgeous. And it is like I'm walking through the most wonderful, delicious dream.
I just wish that there had been a handsome stranger appearing to me in the wood, whom I was destined to fall in love with and marry. ... (big sigh) When, I wonder - when??
I guess right now I just have to focus on those precious little kids. They are so cute, so sweet (mostly), and they are SO valuable to God - I totally love them. Eager little Daniel, the artist and actor - mischievous little Christopher, sneaking around behind chairs and trying to scare people - bookish little Catriona [Irish sp. of Katrina], who knows more about certain parts of the Bible (at 7!) than her mummy does, and loves to have discussions with me about Lewis and Tolkien books! (dang, that child is a little prodigy and kinda reminds me of the good side of me, and I hope I get a kid like her someday) - sweet little Simone [SIM-oh-nay - there's an accent on the "e"], who I can tell just needs to be loved and accepted (her daddy died not too long ago) and she keeps making the "I love you" sign at me, which I return in greeting - and the talkative (to me) little Rebekah, who doesn't like to play the sporty games but will stand behind the sidelines and tell me about her cousins... One of them is Maeve, who is also in the group. She is such a cute little thing (and of course I love her name). She's a bit of a tomboy (maybe) - good at sports, even beating one of the boys in one-on-one hockey, climbing to the top of the climbing wall; and she seems to be rather popular.
Well, I can't prattle on about all the kids right now. It's too late, and I need my rest.
Before I go, I am happy to report that my lesson on Tuesday about joy went well. Shaz and Joanne said "Great job." :-) Yay. I think the kids were listening - I know Catriona was, cuz she went into great detail reminding me how the story of Paul & Silas in prison finished. Oh my gosh... "But they were Roman citizens, so they weren't supposed to be beaten and jailed like that without a fair trial." Remember: she's 7 years old. [drawing of face with big eyes] Awesome.
Today we painted pots, which we will fill tomorrow (well, I should say today - and yesterday we painted them - it being after midnight) with soil and plant some seeds. I got pictures of us doing some stuff, so that's good. I love those kids. I hope I am having some kind of positive, helpful influence. They are the future.
Funny - it's always been I am the future, with my peers. But now... I am still the future, but also the present. I am the now. I am standing on the threshold. Ready to burst into the world and change it for the better.
Maybe - by coming here - I have already burst over that threshold. Hmmm...
I really want to stay in Ireland. I really want to make my impact here. The people, the land... I am in love.
[I cut out the rest of this entry. So it may be an abrupt ending, but it's not the original one.]
(shot was taken randomly over my shoulder)