What a wonder a pop up is!

[wssfetch]

My dad bought his first poo-up in the 1960s and another one in the 1970s.  Although I was in college when he got the first one, we enjoyed it when I was home for vacations and my younger sister grew up with camping trips all over the southeast.

Now I'm in my fifties and my sister is in her forties and we still enjoy camping in my pop-up.  We live a good 5 hour drive away from each other but we try to get together several times each year somewhere in between.  Fortunately Florida has lots of wonderful state parks and she and her 10 year old daughter often meet me at dog shows where we camp for the weekend.

My sister and niece have been through a lot in the past two years.  Her adult daughter was killed by a drunk driver right before Christmas.  Our brother passed away about 14 months ago from a long bout with cancer that caused him to literally bleed to death.  She is raising a 3 year old severaly disabled daughter at home (she is on a respirator and feeding tube), her husband walked out on her, she is going back to school to become a speech therapist, and her 10 year old feels that her whole life is upside down.

Camping has been a wonder, a miracle for my little niece.  She has become braver, stronger, tougher, and more resiliant.  She learned that women can things for themselves and have fun and work hard and accomplish something.  She sees her mom and me as strong women and she has become strong herself.  

The first time we camped in the pop-up she asked where the dishwasher was.  Now she volunteers to wash the dishes.  She marveled at seeing the percolator do its thing and cooking on a camp stove.  Dutch oven cooking will be next.  

After just one trip, my niece remembered how to set up and break down the camper.  She keeps the camper clean and neat, shakes the rugs, sweeps the mat, offers to help with everything.  

I wouldn't trade the biggest 5th wheeler or motorhome for the magic of lying in a cozy bunk at night, unzipping the canvas and watching the wind blow through the trees and stars light up the sky.  And I don't think my sister or niece would either.

[NightOwl]

:W   hey, WSF, what an inspiring post. :S   Clearly, you have a wonderful, very strong sister--another shining example of someone just going on and facing life with courage.  Most of us would be stopped in our tracks by any one of her problems let alone a whole procession of them.  But it sounds as though her little girl is learning from her mother, and from you, that  the sun  still breaks through the clouds and life is worth living.

And, just like you say--popups are "wonder machines" and they take us to a magic land completely separate from our hectic daily lives and their conveniences (and struggles)  I dont know who came up with the original concept, but that person deserves a special place in heaven.

  :S  :S  :S

[B-flat]

That's a great story and it sounds like your little neice is a wonderful, smart girl to be helping so much with everything.  There will be some wonderful memories made while you are camping and it is so nice for you all to spend some family time together as much a possible.  That's something to really be thankful about.

[farmer]

What a positive outlook and a nice post:)
Happy Thanksgiving

[tlhdoc]

A very nice post and it is very appropriate for today.  

Happy Thanksgiving!

[Acts 2:38 girl]

"My dad bought his first poo-up "

Am I seriously the only one who caught it??!!

It is a nice story though!  Thanks for sharing!

[B-flat]

Yeah, I noticed but I was trying to be nice while enjoying my silly sense of humor. That typo conjures up some kind of image. However, I still just love that story. A nice story for Thanksgiving and camping.  Nice thing about a typo is that everyone, well most everyone, knows exactly what is meant.  (Still trying to figure out praiee, though.  LOL NightOwl)

[birol]

Very nice story indeed, very touching ........ :S