Ever since childhood, there were always a handful of places I considered magical and I always dreamed that these places would always be there, if not for all time, then at the very least, for all of my life. An unexpected course of recent events has suddenly forced me to replace my lifelong dreams with less marvelous ones for which I must dream instead. Realizing finally that no matter what, these things will never change for us at all.
Childhood heroes, people I thought were my friends, and all the things for which I held in such firm belief to be true, though, in the end, I’ve come to realize that everything I believed so steadfastly to be true, was truly flawed. The admiration I felt was loosely based on precious childhood illusions, much like the fleeting ghosts of empty promises.
I first met Daniel when I was a first-year camp counselor. Daniel was seven years old at the time; he was a tiny, quiet, and unassuming child who had an insatiable desire to wander around was always getting himself lost. For many years, Daniel and I have kept in touch like two ships that pass in the night, until Daniel confessed to me that I was his childhood hero. I’m reminded of the Walt Whitman poem Among The Multitude, which describes that one friend who knows you for who you truly are, and in my case, Daniel is that friend. Recently, during the duration of a long-distance phone call, which carried on for hours of deep thought and unbridled discussion, Daniel and I discussed the one person whom I believed to be my childhood hero. Current events have now left me with the realization that my childhood hero was never there for me when I was a small child, and there is evidence that they were never the person I thought they were. Admiration is a curious and sometimes evolving emotion that can change in an instant, based on one’s perspectives and life experiences.
Lately, I have been worrying about inconsequential and trivial matters, such as the balance of my bank account, my credit score, my social media presence, and the mere fact that lately, I have felt as if I am a failure simply because I perceive the modern educational system as flawed and accordingly lack any interest in pursuing a college degree. The winter has left me alone with Amelia with an abundance of time in which to ponder and discuss the mysteries of life.
Since my breakup with Angie, Daniel and I have called one another almost every single day, our souls speak from across the miles, so many years since I was a staff member at the summer camp in 1998, when Daniel was just 7 years old. Lately, the topic of our conversation has evolved from post-relationship breakup to now discussing my hopes and dreams of preserving camp, which was, in essence, the only defining reason how I was able to survive such a traumatic childhood. My dreams of preserving a place so special and important to us, as the hours of discussion progress, and as my dreams become his, paradoxically it is the reality that if I tried to save camp on my own, I would be risking everything I spent a lifetime working for.
And yet, I feel as if it would all be worth it in the end.
Colophon
Photography for this article includes Dummy and The Camp Chateaugay Wilderness sign, photographed in 2008.
Asides
Somewhere I Feel Free | When Is It Time To Let Go | Camp Chateaugay, In Pictures (1991-2000) | Returning To Camp Chateaugay Wilderness After 19 Years Away | It Came Without Warning | 2018 Camp Chateaugay Reunion | A Week At Camp
I don’t think I’ve ever cried so much like this made me… Take a look, yours truly makes an appearance.
The statue thrown there looks very realistic. And, this really looks a magical piece of art.
Over the past year I’ve had to reevaluate a lot of my own past relationships and realized a lot of people weren’t as great as I previously thought they were either. A lot of my childhood heroes turned out to be lousy people too. It’s a stage of life we all go through, when we finally come to realize who our true heroes are 🙂
I like how the photo was taken. It gives the realistic glow of the subject.
The mannequin has a very sweet expression, it’s almost nostalgic and sad to see it in a trash bin.
Exactly, life runs in circles and they are things that never change, there will always be there
Worrying will always be part of us it only becomes obvious as we grow older. This is why I envy kids at some cases they have less issues than adults. Anyway, it is what it is.
the statue looks so real. He has a serene and comforting look despite of where he placed.
There is a need to think of our past and reevaluate. What didnyou do or which people you gave undeserved attention to. We need to live better.
Childhood dreams are always valid. we need to continue chasing it
We are somehow a hero to other persons without us even realizing it. It’s great to treasure those places that left us so much of our childhood dreams, perhaps to help us to move forward.
It’s great to treasure those places that left us so much of our childhood dreams, perhaps to help us to move forward. We are somehow a hero to other persons without us even realizing it.
These are a treasured place full of dreams and childhood memories. Without realizing it, we are somehow, someone’s hero.
Indeed we are somehow someone’s hero. And its good to treasure these kind of memorable places.
Thanks for your touching story. We all have that one special person that we consider our hero.
I can’t believe that after all these years you are still in touch with Daniel. That is so inspiring.
It’s uplifting to have that one person that knows us and loves us for who we truly are. I guess for you that person is Daniel.
I like how insightful your words are. It gives us all something to think about deeply.
This has got me thinking about my childhood heroes too. Turns out they were not heroes after all 🙁
“Admiration is a curious and sometimes evolving emotion that can change in an instant, based on one’s perspectives and life experiences.” I really couldn’t agree more with those sentiments.
The people that never change are the ones we should truly value. They are a rare find.
You have been through a lot in your life. I am happy to see you stay strong despite it all Tom.
Not all heroes wear a cap. Thanks for being a hero to Daniel.
A true friend is worth more than anything money can buy. You are lucky to have one in Daniel.
I wish I had me a friend like Daniel. I can only wish.
I think the friendship you shared with Daniel is something to treasure. Daniel reminds me of a friend I’ve had since pre school and I’ve been so thankful of the friendship we’ve shared for around 20 years now.
The image and the post make me think of an old Twilight Zone called “5 Characters in Search of an Exit.”