Life after camp

Life after camp is interesting. It took me a few days to get used to being at home again. You took pleasure in simple things like a shower that actually stays warm the entire time, and not having to worry about people being noisy when you are trying to sleep. Or even having a room to myself again. Not having kids with me at every meal...not having kids around me at all.

As miserable as I may have seemed at times while at camp, I really did enjoy myself. I loved getting to be around people similar in age to me all summer. Having a reason to get up every morning was such a blessing. I was keeping active, and I was using the passion for art God has given me for good. I grew in my faith, I grew in my confidence, and really I just improved my overall being. People who know me well can hardly imagine me getting up in front of people and helping to lead songs, or teach an elective, or be in a skit. No I may not have been good at things, but the Rebecca who left for Oregon wouldn't have even tried. I learned to try. I learned to just trust that things would somehow work out. I learned I can be assertive, I can lead, I don't have to let people walk all over me. I learned I am creative, i do have a talent, and I want to work with kids someday. Honestly, I hope they'll hire me back next year.

It has been 11 days since my family had to put Annie to sleep. It still hurts. I wasn't here to say goodbye, and to top things off she died on my 20th birthday. She was a sweet dog. I feel bad because in her old age she was more annoying, and I feel like I didn't show her the affection she deserved. I had no way of knowing when I left on June 12th that it was the last time I'd ever see her. I loved her so much. We'd had her since I was four, I couldn't even really imagine life without her. She was a part of almost every memory I have. I miss her dearly.

In the wake of her death, my mom did something I never thought she'd do in a million years. She decided she wanted a cat. Now, my whole life all I've ever heard my mom say are negative things about cats. She had them growing up, as did my dad. But we never did. I asked for a cat when I was younger, as did both my sisters. But they always said no, and it was always because cats were a pain in the butt and my mom never wanted to own one. But....a day or so after Annie died, when I was still in Oregon, my mom informed me she wanted a cat. I guess there was a cat at the vets office when Annie was put to sleep. She rubbed up against my mom, and was purring and just so sweet...and it left an imprint on my mom. Thus the search for an affectionate cat began. We spent days on craigs list, we emailed many people. We visited cats at people's houses. We had our hopes raised as we were going to bring home a 17 week old calico. We were all prepared to bring her home on monday. I don't think my mom ever wanted a kitten, and I think she may have been settling a little because she was disappointed that Bella didn't work out, but nevertheless we were all excited to bring her home. And then...at the last minute after I emailed asking when we could pick her up on monday, I get an email back saying they changed their mind. So, everyone went to bed that night pretty upset. After it happened though, I began searching craigs list again. My mom was not going to be sad for long. I started going back, back before annie even died even, figuring just because the ad was old didn't mean the cat had been sold. I thought I found the one, an older, spayed, microchipped cat described as affectionate and playful. The ad said call as late as midnight, and it was only nine thirty so I called. No answer, but hopeful I left a message. I got a call the next day saying that they had to move on Friday, so they had surrendered their cat and she was currently at petsmart. She would be $50.00 which was more than we intended to pay initially, but the owners said that was what they had intended to charge for the cat and all her stuff. Well...Cheetah was an okay cat. She was affectionate, but not terribly so, and she was a bit hissy towards the other animals. But before we even got to hold Cheetah, another cat in the next cage was rubbing up against the cage, meowing, as if begging to be let out. My mom cood at the kitty, and said oh I want to hold this one. So after we gave Cheetah a go, my mom got her wish, and Jade was let out. She instantly came out of the cage, and probably less than ten minutes later was purring in my mom's arms. So...she decided this cat was the one.

So while the dreams of Zoey the kitty were lost....Jade the four year old Tabby/Calico mix fits what my mom wanted to a tee. She's so pretty, and she is soo affectionate. She'll rub against you, and you can get her purring pretty easily. She is very easy going, and just seems like she's going to be a great cat. Not only that but she is spayed, microchipped, and declawed...making her everything my mom was looking for. I'm sad I only get a little time with her before I go back to the dorms. Same thing happened freshman year. We got a new dog named missy, who bonded with me and followed me everywhere. Then...I went to college, and when I came back home for a visit a few weeks later...the dog could care less I existed and had bonded with my dad instead. I hope the cat at least remembers me when I come home.