As if on cue, at 10:00 last night (amid my last blog post), I lost my voice. I have no idea where it went or if it was stolen, but its gone. Then my back, which had been a non-issue, all of a sudden flared up as if to say "Hey, I'm still here - Just wanted to remind you". Hopefully it will loosen up as the day goes on.
The idea today was to let anyone who wanted to sleep late to do just that. But my body alarm clock went off on schedule at 6 and I am up. Greg is also up. And a group of teens that came in last night from Pensacola, FL, was up - and very loud this morning. Greg and I enjoyed a nice quite conversation, but now my quite time appears to be over as Charley, Gary, Lance, Jay and Dayle have all arrived within the hour.
There is tremendous talk the last few days about 'the blog', especially the posts by Ali Z.. All you here is 'Did you read what she wrote last night' - or the day before or whatever. All I can say is: She has what one cannot teach. Yea, you can enhance it a bit, coach it here and there - but her thoughts and feelings are inherit within her being. We should all be so gifted. Next year will be college for Ali and this will probably be her last trip of this kind with this group for a while. And this saddens me. Because this trip, despite all the good that we do down here, is also about the people you travel with. And Ali is just one of those kids that really make this trip so very special. Last year, we had 4 seniors on the trip - and it was difficult to see them all move on - especially Jeanne & Jen who had been on this trip for a few years.
Jay, Lance, Charley and Evan headed to Waffle House and French Quarter this morning while the rest of us, after a slow wake up, went out in search of a Waffle House - which has trouble handling 18 people. So we headed to a 2nd waffle house, only to discover IHOP along the way. Some good grub! All were very well fed. Andy's car headed to the French Quarter - the rest of us back to camp to finish packing.
Jay made it to the airport with about 3 hours to spare, the rest of us followed and coincidently, the rest of us all seemed to arrive at around the same time.
So let me say a bit more about the teens on the trip. As usual, our kids are just amazing and always something to be proud of. They get along great. The younger ones are always a chuckle and they listen great and have awesome spirit. I just love to watch them interact. Josh is .... Josh - and he always enjoys this trip for the the kids, the adults, and because he loves to make a difference in the world. He just thrives in this environment. For Josh & I, it is really a great week for the two of us to be together and something to treasure in life. I've know Robin for a while now, but never that well until this trip. She is always smiling and laughing, but I really learned how well mannered and what a very caring and grown-up young adult she is. It is only her first year on the trip and she is a senior - so it will probably be her last as she heads off to college, but I think that this trip is something that she will always remember and one that will leave a lasting impression on her. I look forward to see the paths of our trip graduates as they go though life. From Larry to Seth, Jeanne, Jen, Laura to Robin & Ali - it will be fun to watch.
And so, this is it - yea I know everyone wants desperately to see the next great blog post from Ali Z. She declined for this one, perhaps wrapped up in her own thoughts as the week draws to a conclusion. But this Friday at Woodlands Community Temple at 8:00, I expect we will all hear some great things from several members of our team - adult and teen alike. But you have to be there to see and hear it.
I hope to see you all there - it will be a very special night..........
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