Packing

So, today I leave for Double H Ranch up in Lake Luzerne for a week of volunteering. When I signed up (back in February) I was very excited and couldn't wait for the week to get here. This past week has been filled with more excitement and some anxiety about what to expect when I get there. However, the main focus has been on the incredible amount of packing.

I have been stressing about how many items are on the "what to pack" list so graciously sent to me by the Ranch. Not only did I receive one but I got one for both of my kids, who will also be attending for a week (a awesome perk for volunteers). I have been frantically running around making sure that we all had enough warm weather clothes, cold weather clothes, bathing suits, towels, etc. We shopped into the night last night for small shampoo and conditioner containers, mini soaps, hair bands, flashlights and batteries. And I have spent hours doing laundry to ensure that all the right blankets, sheets and pillows were clean and ready for our journey. All this while I have been fretting... "Did I forget anything?", "Did I pack enough"? "What if it rains the whole time?" (not a far stretch considering the summer we've had). "Will the kids be warm enough with the blankets I packed?".

Wham! It hit me.

While I'm "stressing" about the everyday items I need to pack, the other parents with kids going to the Ranch are hoping they've packed enough syringes and medicines. Enough inhalers and trach supplies. Enough bandages and catheters. You see this isn't just an ordinary summer camp. This is Double H Ranch, a camp for kids with life threatening illnesses. Other parents would probably give anything to have the simple stresses of packing that I have. So I will not stress any more about what did or didn't get packed. I will simply let this week at the Ranch adjust my perspective, fill me with joy and be grateful for my healthy children.