Monday, June 27, 2016

Camp Address and Objects In Motion

Just wanted to share a few things with you before I leave on my big summer adventure.
  • Tomorrow I leave for Georgia to pick up C-Man. We'll leave for OH on Thursday morning to spend some time with the family before we have to be at camp. The staff training begins on July 6. After that, it all kicks into high gear or low gear, depending on your interpretation of gears, and we'll be at camp until August  6. I'll be back home about a week (maybe less) later. 
  • If you are a praying person, my ex's daughter needs prayer. Long story short: she's 17 and decided to leave home. As someone else who has left her father, I can in some ways understand this decision, but she simply isn't equipped to face life despite her (mistaken) belief that she is. She's living with a friend, is determined not to finish high school, and thinks life will just present her with good things. I'm not really certain how she sees this all going down. My prayer is that someone says "the thing" that provides some much-needed perspective.
  • On a personal note, my therapist says that we've done so much work toward battling my migraines, etc. that maybe, just maybe, the biggest thing holding me in this place (or maybe cycle is a better word) of unwellness is lack of purpose. That has been serious food for thought in this ole brain and inspired several pivotal events that I'll tell you about after I get back. Perhaps, I'll have a better context for them. In any event, I wonder if she's right. I ask you, dear readers, do you think it's possible for someone to feel so overwhelmed by life and drowned by their lack of  a place in it that it makes them physically sick? I suspect that the answer may be "yes," and that the only course of action that will lead to wellness is movement. That old adage about all journeys beginning with a single step comes to mind. After all, the only way to get to your purpose is to start moving. You will either feel closer to it or further away. I've already determined that standing still is migraine-inducing. 
  • If you're thinking that all of this seems fairly obvious, and you sure thought I was smarter than this... sorry to disappoint. 
I'm going to leave you with two things. One is the camp address, so you can write me. I will write you back if you include your address:)

Robin Richards aka Mergan
Stony Glen Camp
5300 W. Loveland Rd
Madison, OH 44057

I'm also going to leave you with a song for your listening enjoyment. This is one that C-Man sent to me a while back. I really like it. Every time I listen to it I can't help but smile. Smile on...


19 comments:

  1. Safe travels to camp and don't let the kids eat you alive.
    Will definitely pray for that young lady.
    And a lack of purpose is something you can fix!

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  2. Hey Robin,
    I can see where feeling a lack of purpose can cause migraines, definitely. It's a lost feeling. I've been lost before and it wasn't a fun place to be. But I turned it around and it became an exciting time to be able to start with a clean slate, with no real direction in mind. And with that, I came up with lots of options and then I started to get excited about some of them. Then the journey began...

    Migraines are no fun! I feel for you. Hopefully all that beautiful time you'll be spending in Ohio's nature will inspire you. Be sure to wear lots of Repel (lemon & eucalyptus oil): those mosquitoes are killer out there!

    Have a blast. Sounds like a lot of fun. Campfires and s'mores! I'm jealous!!! :)

    Michele at Angels Bark

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  3. GIRL WONDER ~
    Have a great trip and a blast at camp! I'll write sumpin'. Don't know what, and it may not make sense, but you'll be able to read it plainly enough.

    See ya at the 8/15 BOTB.

    ~ D-FensDogG
    'Loyal American Campfire Girl'

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  4. Honestly, I can see how lack of purpose would affect you- if you are the sort that needs a purpose in life. Your psyche has a lot of ways to goof you up. I'm hoping to get around to writing you when you go, if I can think of something worthwhile to say. Ex's daughter is on the prayer list, with all these other children I am praying Christ will guide to their true purpose.

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  5. I will remember your daughter. I hope something presents itself in her life so that she gets enlightened and makes better choices. Take care.

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  6. Have a wonderful time at camp and with your family, Robin. We'll miss you! Your therapist may have something there, about the migraines. Many illnesses are psychosomatic in nature. Here's hoping you find your purpose and that they clear up. I suffered from migraines for years, during my "corporate slave" period, but not since. That was obviously the wrong environment for me. Best wishes to your step-daughter as well. At that age, you think you know everything and it takes a lot for someone else to get through, but kids have to learn from their mistakes. May that lesson come soon and not be devastating!

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  7. Oh Robin, I truly pray she's right and that once you set a plan to motion there will be no more migraines. I suffer from them and they suck so bad. Stress is mostly my common denominator for them occurring.
    I am praying for your step daughter. I hope that her friends parents could also encourage her to finish school and that they provide a healthy environment for her to live in.
    Have tons of fun at camp and I will mail you this year too.
    C-man? Have you mentioned this person before?

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    1. That is my ex's son. When I started this blog they were kids. I didn't feel comfortable using their names. So they were H-Girl and C-Man. C-Man is going to camp with me and then starts college. They are living at opposite ends of the spectrum.

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  8. That girl will learn the hard way and this may be the best thing for her. You never know but maybe she was always given so much that this will be a wake up call. I do hope all works out for the best even is she gets a couple of bruises along the way. My friend, who also has horrible migraines, often gets them when she has become focused on the negative things that happened around her. If one does feel "lost" in life or have the negatives things that surround them intensify their overall way of thinking, I think the pain does get worse. You have to deal with these migraines but maybe they will be less intense or you may get them less if you change things up. You never know. Have a great time away and wishing you a wonderful time

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  9. I am a praying person, and I shall pray for the daughter. She needs guidance, or maybe she needs to learn the hard way. Regarding your question about the migraines, depression can make people physically sick. Headaches have a strong association with depression. That feeling of not having a place in life is enough to make you sick. I have no place in life. I feel hopeless, and it definitely makes me sick.

    Love,
    Janie

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  10. Prayers for sure. You know, I think the mind is FAR more powerful than we give it credit. Stresses we feel and emotions that bog us down so often alter our health. I think that's the hardest part of a physical condition. We get stuck in the mental rut and depression that comes with not being at full steam, and then it's a vicious cycle to convince the brain that the body can be whole again. I'm wishing you the best with your migraines, and maybe some cheese will help, eh?

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  11. Have fun at camp. I can't promise I'll write - heck, even typing is a journey right now!

    Fun song. See you in August!

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  12. Have a good time at the camp. Perhaps a little time away, change of pace, is what the Doctor ordered. Yes, I do think we can feel a burden so much it makes us physically ill. Sometimes we just need time, sometimes we just need a change. But you are right in one thing, the world will not just give us continual good things. We have to work at it. So I hope your ex's daughter realizes this. Unfortunately, my brother never learned this lesson and he's still floating through life, from job to job finding meaning, when all he has to do is stop running.
    Hope that all makes sense. I know you most likely won't see this till you come back, but I'm wishing you and yours well.

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  13. Robin, I hope you enjoy your summer at camp. This sounds like a refreshing thing back to escape the daily grind of our fast pace life. I certainly will pray for your ex's daughter. She's really clueless. Sometimes life has to bite, hopefully it isn't too big of a bite just enough to get her attention, to make a kid run back to safety of those who love them the most. If the problem is Dad has personality flaws, then she needs to see the man behind his imperfections and see the love he has for her. Everything else will seem small. I do believe one's mental state can cause sickness. Saying prayers you'll find the right path to wellness again. Here's to your safe return. Sending hugs and prayers to you!

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  14. Home always makes me smile, too... It's a gorgeous song. Today I'm celebrating 13 years living in Curaçao, so it felt like synergy to find that song here :)

    I have a friend who's going through something perhaps similar to your situation... the 'lack of purpose' thing. She's been battling depression for about a year and a half, and can't seem to figure out what direction to give her life. In her case it hasn't manifested physically—yet... I do believe our thoughts have a powerful impact on our physical wellbeing, and I'm sure you'll find your way out of this cycle. Looking forward to hearing more about it when you get back from camp! In the meantime, have fun :)
    Guilie @ Quiet Laughter

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  15. Will pray for your ex's daughter, definitely. Have fun on your camping trip!

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