So much hope for these kids...

The simple fact that these kids wake up every morning and manage to make it to camp...is proof of their ability to give each day a new chance.... don't take me wrong...i'm almost 100% positive that they don't wake up every morning and say "GEE GOLLY! TODAY IS A NEW AND BETTER DAY!!!"...but I do believe that deep down inside...these kids have gone through so much pain, drama, and suffering in their short lives...that, although they might not consciously admit it, they hope that their lives can be better and less painful. Without hope... resiliency has no room for improvement... 

We can't be resilient all the time...life doesn't work that way. We have our moments and so do the kids....and they, more than anyone, have reason to get discouraged when nobody else believes in them. 

I know that in order to be somebody in life...we have to believe in ourselves first before we attain success. With a child who has experienced life challenges similar to those our campers live with on a day to day basis... its crucial for us to prove to them that we believe in them so that they too can believe in themselves. 

In life...there are people who take negative experiences and take the pity road and only sink deeper and deeper... then there are those who refuse to be nothing in life and use the road blocks as an inspiration to prove the entire world wrong and make something of themselves...I am convinced that the differenced between these two is having a positive role model in life. A person who not once doubted us, always encouraged us to fight for something better, and despite our falls...was always there to give us a hand and help us get back up on our feet...and continue the fight. 

It only take one person to make that difference. 

Although it's out of their control, these young children have been pretty much set up for failure... but it doesn't have to be that way...

We can be the reason these campers have resiliency. 

Even if we never see our little campers again... I hope that one day they can look back and remember that we believed in them, that we want the best for them, that they can be better than anything that life throws at them. If we can get this message across to them...then i'm sure they can be resilient and bounce back bigger and stronger from any situation in their future... even with the small things in the present like fun fitness and performing arts =P...

I know this might sound overtly optimistic...or maybe even unrealistic...but I say this cuz I speak from experience.... it truly only takes one person.    hopefully it us...

=]