Tony's anticipation has been through the roof today. He has never gone camping before b/c of the danger of anaphylactic shock lurking around every tree stump and stick. I can only imagine the amount of food trash in any given forest area due to people who think the world is their trash can. And I can't be there, which is new to me. I am the primary protector and have not let him out of my sight overnight in years. And even then, he was with my parents so still no danger for him. But he's getting older and wiser and needing guy time so this is the great experiment.
I love that we have a church that not only invites us but makes sure we will be safe. The food may or may not have dairy or nuts in it; we're not worrying about their food. But everyone around Tony has to remember not to touch him after they eat, not to hand him an oar after they polishing off a PB&J, not to tousle him on the head after drinking a cup of whatever... something most people don't give a second thought about.
When the church invited us, I reminded them of the danger. Rather than do what everyone does (and understandably so, don't get me wrong!) and saying "Oh, ok", the guy in charge said "Let me know what we can do to make it safe, we want him there". I kept it together on the outside (laughed and made some small remark) but in my head, my jaw dropped.
WHAT? Does this guy KNOW what he's saying???
But he was serious! He repeated himself even!
So Daddy and I talked about it. Discussed the risks vs. benefits. Daddy was up for it (yay for Daddy!!!), the church group was up for it, so away they went. My heart...
You should know that Daddy has never, ever, ever had to give an epipen. He has missed every single anaphylactic episode that required one. Lucky dog. lol He has always been at work; oftentimes overseas but frequently just at work. I have administered every epipen to these kids, other than the ones the EMTs administered after mine. So this is a big step for both of them b/c there is every possibility that Daddy will have to give an epipen this weekend without me there for support. Support matters. :)
But what I really wanted to show you all was the enormous amount of food I made for Tony. Daddy took a cooler for all Tony's food. They will be there for approximately 24 hours. That's 3 meals and a snack. Here's what I packed:
It's ok, go ahead and laugh. I couldn't help myself. :) The child will have plenty to eat if they get marooned on a desert island for a week. I can't be there to protect him so I will overfeed him from afar. I rock! lol
That's not so crazy. I pack TONS of food for my kids when they're just going out for an afternoon. LOL My kids don't do the 3 meals and one snack thing though. It's meal, snack, meal, snack, meal, snack, then trying to talk me into another meal. ;) They are little piglets. I hope that "Tony" (almost put his real name... oops) has a wonderful time and daddy NEVER has to use the epipen! I'm sure you will be posting an update when they return to you safe and sound. I'm feeling your anxiety though!! I'd be a wreck.
ReplyDeleteAt least you know he will be well fed - something that doesn't always happen on a camp-out. Looks good too - he'll probably have tales of someone wanting to see his food and know what was in it. Maybe he can have his own "food" teaching session on the camp-out!!
ReplyDeleteAll's right with the world. He ate so much I am surprised he's not 5 lbs heavier.
ReplyDeleteHe received some sweet encouragement from one of the boys there. They told him they really respect his attitude knowing that he couldn't eat what everyone else was eating and he still had such a good attitude.
Does a mom's heart good. :)