All About That Sassy Mother Huish

Sarah has been running the Water Front  at a cute little "lake" in the camp.  None of her staff was scared of her, that is the first good news.  In fact, they seemed to love her . . .  along with a few other guys through the summer.  Her admirers seemed to have run the gamut from 12 to maybe in his 80's.  Who wouldn't love to see a girl running around in a swimsuit at boy's camp?

This was her "office".   Pretty cute, huh?  Truly, Sarah in her element!

They have a "Polar Bear"  swim at 6:45 am when the water temp is about 56 degrees and the air temp was about 40 degrees.  Insane!!  One poor little cub scout came out of the water so mad he was crying.  I could hear who I thought was his dad behind me telling him, "Don't cry!" over and over.  Later I found out it was a staff member who had volunteered to take him in lieu of a parent.  Poor guy, we'll see if he ever does that again!  I made a movie of her doing the "swim", more like a dip, but turned the camera sideways.  I'll have to work on it.  Anyone know how to get to rotate? 

Then there is  a program called COPE (Climbing Outdoor Personal Experience).  I sneaked up there and got all kinds of pics before she found out that it was mom lurking around in the trees.

Such a treat, watching my little girl acting as the dead weight at the end of a rope.  With guys climbing over the top of her to go up a ladder to this ridiculously platform to zip down a tiny little cable while hanging from this miserable harness.   Now I ask you, what else could a mom ask for in her daughter?  The adult campers (guys) seemed to be in no hurry with the local entertainment (Sarah) at work.  She is easy on the eyes, especially while she is using her womanly wiles so effectively . . . . not!  But she is so funny and cute up there and looks pretty darn good, even with no make up or any of those trappings she doesn't seem need.

This shot reminds me of when Jon & I took her up to a high adventure camp when she was 11.  The man who was teaching the boys how to make flutes out of yucca stems came over and apologized to us, "That little gal of yours is so cute but she is so entertaining that the boys aren't getting anything done.  Could you keep her over here for a while?"

Poor little girl, her heart was crushed!  So back she came until they had the cutting and hard part done.  After a couple of hours, a runner came over and invited her back because the boys missed her and the dangerous part of the project was finished.  Didn't see her again until supper time!  Guess that should have been hint of things to come, huh?

It seems that Sarah has been known as  "Mother Huish"  since her first year back from her mission.  Hope that means she is sweet and nurturing, not bossy like someone else we all know!!

I was dubbed "Grandma Huish", pretty funny.  I was told over and over all about her virtues or that the nut didn't fall far from the tree?!?!  Or there was the  "Well I can see where Sarah got  _______ ( something different each time).  Hmmmm, is that a good thing?

It is pretty gratifying to meet so many people who love Sarah and admire her for just who she is.  A great young person who loves others, shows it in her treatment and care for others (hence the mother thing), who has learned wisdom beyond her years in some respects and yet is so youthfully sweet in others.

When I arrived after dinner at the Outpost, the guy on the right grabbed my hand, started shaking it and told me that I had raised the most amazing woman (woman, my baby a woman?)  I just laughed and told him all I did was get her started and Sarah made who Sarah is.  He just laughed and wasn't surprised.  Hmmmm, more questions came to mind.  But it was clear that Sarah had a great friend and his girlfriend (in the picture) loved rooming with her this summer. All great kids.

I must confess, I was not happy when she decided to go up there and work again this summer.  Then one day I was thinking about it and got a peaceful feeling that it was a OK and good would come of it.  I love it when that sweet, quiet, loving voice reassures me.  

When I got there, I knew what was meant.  I sent up a daughter who was frustrated, tense and discouraged.  When I got there I found a daughter who had once again realized just how unique and special she is.  A young man, only 17, took to her and spent the summer reminding her what she was and helped her show others through her actions and words.  I told Craig that he was my new best friend.  I met others who I could tell had contributed to her growth and really cared for her.  She has made some great life long friends and I hope they all stay in touch with each other.  

Where else besides a scout camp or similar situation could so many, from so many generations and background come together to create such an atmosphere?



This sign is "Boy Scout" for  "This is the Place".  At least for this summer and three before this, it was for Sarah!