No Sandwich for Me

I dropped off my oldest son, Jonathan, yesterday at his first camp. He is at cub scout day camp all week.

When he was small, I imagined what it would feel like taking my child to camp and I just couldn't imagine dropping my child off with adults that were not close friends. I knew I would be nervous. I thought I would be worrying about my son's safety and happiness.

I did pray that my son would be safe. However, I was excited for him. I felt sure he would have a blast.

The thing was, I kept thinking about my second son, David. He is insanely jealous this week because he isn't old enough for cub scout camp yet. He longs for it. I dread it. He has a severe peanut allergy and it makes me crazy nervous to think about him attending a camp. It was impossible not to think about as we prepared my oldest son for camp. My husband talked this weekend about how he might take a week off and go with David to camp when he is old enough. That might be the only way that we feel comfortable with him being there.

I just couldn't help thinking about David as I looked at all of the campers. That is what made me nervous. I wasn't nervous for Jonathan. I was nervous for David's future camp visits.

Turns out, I wasn't the only one thinking about David's peanut allergy.

My oldest came home super excited. A friend of mine dropped him off in the afternoon.

She said, "Oh, just one thing... you might pack him a lunch for tomorrow. He wouldn't eat his lunch today."

What?

Jonathan refused to eat the peanut butter and jelly sandwich he was served because his brother is allergic to peanuts.

I was stunned.

Jonathan could have eaten peanut butter when he was at camp. I figured he knew that. I talked to him about it.

He said, "Well, I didn't know... and, I didn't want to have to wash my hands 'supercalifragilisticexpialidocous"! I don't like to wash my hands that much."

I smiled.

I believe it's more than not liking to wash his hands. I believe it's a sign that he cares for his brother. They fight. They often argue. Still, he wants to protect his brother. That makes me smile.

I told him he could eat the peanut butter and jelly at camp. He doesn't want to. I am okay with that.

We sent him with a lunch from home.