Dear Boundless Families:
The weather gods had a major teenage hissy fit this morning and dumped a deluge on your kids. Like all teenage hissies, it passed. Its aftermath left a group of kids who are getting more intrepid by the second.
But their emerging confidence is only part of the story, on this, the end of day 4 – our Winston Churchill equivalent to an official “end of the beginning”.
In the younger group there is a student, who, because of a recent tragic loss, is hurting deep inside. He shuts down. His peers are all too aware. They have rallied around him, presenting him with trinkets like tie dyed shirts, never ending attempts at conversation, foodstuffs, pleasant glances and always an open space in their circle. He has emotional bodyguards. The group has engaged in an active conspiracy of kindness. Its working.
The young-ins have found a groove. Their selfless nature is contagious. Their theme has something to do with mo-jo – I can’t quite understand the gist of it – being an outsider already, but my sense is that it is about picking up emotional slack if any group member’s mo-jo is low. They mean business, and their morale is high.
Trevor the trip leader, in his never ending pursuit of audacity, has declared that the young-ins are doing the FULL DUMOINE RIVER. Parents, the water levels on that Quebec river piece of paradise are higher than they have ever been this time of year. I say, “please Trev, they are too young”. He’ll have none of it. He asserts “this group is capable of anything”.
And so I will transform into a Kafkaesque equivalent of a worrying grandmother, counting the seconds till they safely return. They leave Tuesday and won’t be back till Sunday. They are busy training for this climactic journey.
The Elder secret society remains just that. I asked Tony what is the society’s code. “If I told you, it wouldn’t be a secret, like duh” he retorted with his Italian sheepish grin. He gave me one hint. “if we say “mustache”, the group falls silent and in line in an instant”
The more telling picture of the Elders is when activities are not going on. Like when they collapse on the lawn in circles like a pride of lions licking the blood off their fresh kill. They positively purr together, doing each other’s nails, kicking each other’s butts in chess, giggling, kicking a ball while they bemoan missing the world cup.
Their goal of “no exclusions” is working beautifully.
They leave for the Dumoine on Wednesday, returning on Day 12 (Monday) just in time to primp and preen for their return home.
Here’s to hoping you all have a great week ahead.
Steven
