Real Life is Better Than Fiction

Camping was something my family often did while I was growing up. Camping is a great way for families to spend time together. It’s also a great way for people to get out and enjoy nature. We had a pop-up camper, where my sisters and I slept along with our parents. My older brother preferred sleeping alone in the van. I normally liked sleeping in the camper, but one particular night, I would have much preferred the van and my brother. I was sleeping soundly when all of a sudden something woke me. The lights of the camper were on and the camper was rocking back and forth. I could hear my mom talking to my dad, “It’s over there!” Then there would be stomping and shaking again. Sitting up in my bed, I opened the privacy curtain and saw that my father was out of bed, but without my glasses on, I couldn’t see what was wrong. So what did I do? I put on my glasses and took another sneak peak, which is an act I regret to this day. I saw my dad holding a badminton racket. “It’s over th...

While at the pool with my son and his best friend the other day, I just sat and listened as they played and goofed off. It brought back a lot of memories for me of my best friends as a child. Friends are so important in our lives no matter how old we are. While our best friend may change throughout the years due to a variety of circumstances, that very first best friend will always hold a special place in our hearts. I distinctly remember my first best friend and the day we met. Her name was Eileen. It was my first day of 1st grade. I was attending a different school than I had for Kindergarten. It was snack time and I didn't have one. Eileen noticed and pulled her chair up to mine and shared her snack with me. I remember it clearly to this day, even though 1st grade was a “couple” of years ago now. It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Eileen and I continued to be friends even though we eventually both changed schools and she moved away because of her dad's job....