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.
The location of Band Camp is at a rather isolated, rural setting. Comfort is non-existent. The cabins in which we stayed are old, dilapidated structures which house spider-ridden, musty-smelling cots. They are arranged side-by-side and in bunks, accommodating as many campers as possible. Talk about living in “close quarters”. There is no other furniture in the cabin. 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; campers sitting shoulder-to-shoulder on hard benches. The food consisted of bland-tasting, fattening choices. Nothing was fresh; everything tasted like it came from a can…and it probably did. Because we were so active, by the time meals were served, 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 uncomfortably hot and humid. Seasonal allergies prevailed as pollen counts elevated. Being at Band Camp was both stressful and strenuous. Practices were brutal and the pressure of living in this kind of environment, as well as the mental and physical demands, made me miss the ordinary comforts of home.
One day, about mid-week, I was in a particularly foul mood. The rigorous activity and the cramped living conditions were bothering me. I was hot and tired. 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 delivery truck coming down the lane, kicking up a trail of dust. “Wonderful. Probably another delivery of slop for dinner”, I said sarcastically. Imagine my surprise (and delight) when the Band Director called out my name with his megaphone to inform me that the delivery was actually for me.
I hurriedly tore the heavy box open, while fellow campers stood around and 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. This basket of fresh fruit was the healthiest we had eaten all week. We savored each nutritious bite. It gave us the energy we needed to make it through the week. It refreshed us enough to calm our nerves. It gave us the nutrition we were lacking so we could focus and concentrate on what we needed to learn.
Due to my aunt’s thoughtfulness, my band-mates and I can look back at our Band Camp experience with fondness. It was one of the more memorable highlights of the week. Sending me the Fruit Basket turned out to be the encouragement (and nourishment) I needed to see me through to the end. It arrived at one of the more difficult times in my life and turned it into a positive experience. 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. I’m sure they will appreciate it as much as I did.