I have an aunt who is one of the most thoughtful, giving persons I know. Let me tell you about a terrific surprise my aunt sent to me. She sent a package to me that truly helped me through a very trying time in my life. I was at Band Camp late in the summer. Her own daughter had attended this same one a few years earlier. Band Camp is a week of rigorous instruction in which performances for football half-time shows, as well as week-end competitions are learned. It is a week of structured activity and, frankly, hard work. It is an extremely strenuous activity, as choreography, music memorization, and fine-tuning skills are perfected.
Band Camp is located in an isolated rural place, far from comfortable amenities and distractions. The camping cabins are rustic, smell of mildew, and are spider-ridden. Not only did we have to adjust to sharing personal space with fellow band members and their annoying habits, we had to sleep on lumpy, musty mattresses. Even though sleeping arrangements were uncomfortable, exhaustion from each day’s activity made these conditions a welcome respite.
Meals were shared in a cafeteria setting. The food, although filling, consisted of high-calorie, bland-tasting fare. Nothing was fresh; everything tasted like it came from a can…and it probably did. We were so hungry that we really didn’t care what we ate, as long as it was filling.
The week I attended Band Camp, the weather was hot, humid, and uncomfortable. Practices were brutal and the pressure of living in this kind of environment, as well as the mental and physical demands, made me miss home.
One day, about mid-week, I was particularly frustrated. The rigorous activity and the living conditions were getting to me. I was hot and tired. My muscles were sore and I was probably slightly dehydrated. My allergies were making me even more uncomfortable, depriving me of much-needed sleep. My muscles were sore and I was probably on the verge of dehydration. During a short rest break, my fellow campers and I heard the roar of a UPS truck coming down the lane. “Oh great”, I said. “Probably some more of that fattening food being delivered”, added my friend. Imagine my surprise (and delight) when the Band Director called out my name with his megaphone to inform me that it was I who had the delivery.
As I hurriedly opened the large cardboard box, my fellow campers eagerly watched. Inside the wrapping, I found a hand-written note from my thoughtful aunt and read it aloud to the growing crowd. “I know you and your band-mates need to keep up your energy. Band Camp is a time for learning and sharing; a time for loving and caring; a time to make lasting memories. Enjoy!”
Inside the huge box was a beautiful bushel basket brimming with a variety of delicious, fresh fruit. Sweet and juicy peaches, plums, and nectarines were abundant. There was an assortment of McIntosh and Granny Smith apples; Bartlett and Bosc pears; red and green seedless grapes. Colorful oranges and tangy tangerines were also attractively placed to make an enticing arrangement. Best of all, was a gigantic, ripe watermelon. Sealed packages of dried cherries, banana chips, and boxes of raisins were thrown in; to be enjoyed after the fresh assortment was gone.
My aunt’s note said to share; so share, I did. There was enough fruit for everyone to enjoy. In fact, the colorful assortment was so tempting, we began enjoying it immediately…watermelon juice running down our chins…peach nectar making our fingers sticky.
Because of my aunt’s thoughtfulness, I look back at my Band Camp experience with fondness. Sending me the Fruit Basket turned out to be the encouragement I needed to keep me going…to keep me focused…to see me through to the end. It was such a great idea; I will never forget how much I appreciated it. In fact, I plan to send a deliciously fresh Fruit Basket to other band campers in years to come.
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