Camp Courage

My daughter, Olivia, is an amazing kid. Not just because she is my kid but because at the tender age of 7, she lost her father. The day I sat down with her, and explained that "Daddy went home to god". She cried, asked questions, and then requested we go visit my best friend at her restaurant.

The picture she chose to share

The Hospice facility my husband was at offered a week long camp for kids who have lost a loved one. On the first day, they requested that the child bring a picture of them with the loved one. Each family was to get up, explain the picture and who their loved one was in front of everyone. The first couple of people got up and by the 4th person, I was a complete mess. From kids talking about their grandparents, brothers and sisters, and fathers....the tears would not stop.

I looked down at Liv and said "Do you want me to go up with you?"
She looked at me and said, "Mom i got this"
I watched my baby walk to the front of the room, present her picture and calmly say, "This is my dad, Mike. He had a stroke, I love him a lot."
I have never been more proud of my child than that moment. At 7 years old she had the courage to share with a room full of strangers, the worst tragedy of our life.

Camp Courage was an amazing experience for both of us. Liv got to spend time with other kids who had lost loved ones. I got to learn different coping mechanisms kid use. Not only that, I was able to speak with some of the counselors who Liv had shared with. Her main concern was that something was going to happen to me, which is pretty typical for kids with parents who have passed, clinging on to the remaining parent.

The camp is completely volunteer based at offered at no cost to the families. It was an amazing experience for both Liv and I and helped us work through our grief. When the week was over, she asked if she could go back next year, I will forever be grateful for this opportunity to be part of this wonderful program.