Knowing my place
I am about to take three weeks and work at the Sun-N-Shade Campground (the world’s most underwhelming web site that belies an amazing place). This is an adventure for me and I have been drafted into the position by virtue of the fact that my parents are taking a bus trip for the last three weeks of August. My parents run the campground.
When we started with the campground we worked it together but I have spent less and less time at the campground in the last few years. As it turns out, my parents are far better at knowing what people want than I am. The result is that the campground runs in ways that are mysterious (to me). Most of the knowledge exists firmly encased in the minds of the two people who are taking a trip to Arizona for three weeks. It is a subtle thing, but I am beginning to suspect that there is a bit of fear within those same minds that they are abandoning the campground. Anarchy and horror awaits.
I, however, am confident that all will be well. I have run the campground before in a previous incarnation. I like to think I am level headed and not prone to violent outbursts. I have run companies in the past. But, I am still “the son” that is moving into my parents shoes.
When we dropped into the campground last night and all was running well. My parents were taking a break before the evening show at the hall and the people at the campground had it running like a well-oiled machine. We hung around for over an hour and chatted with campers and generally had a good time.
It was the cap to a wonderful evening to have my mother quietly pull me aside and tell me that if things are too tough for me in the next three weeks then my younger sister is willing to fly over 2000kms to help me run the place. And my aunt in Halifax can be available too.
No matter how successful or credible I might ever become … I am still a son.
There is nothing more sincere than a parent’s desire to protect a child. I will not sully the moment by allowing the possibility that the protective instinct is for the campground and not me.
