You see on top of the usual mid term madness with the two littlies, there was a knot in the pit of my stomach about Saturday night. Part of a whole tangle of knotted feelings which all relate to Angel's BIG PLAN for the summer. Together with three of her friends, she will be going to Tanzania to volunteer in an orphanage for a month. The trip is organised by a charity, and the girls have to pay to take part. A major fundraising drive would be needed.
I didn't believe her when she first said it. Then I started to panic: my baby girl going to Africa! Somewhere I've never been and I don't know much about it. All kinds of unwelcome thoughts began to set up home in my head: the chances of catching obscure tropical diseases, flying on dodgy airlines, and plenty of other half-formed fears I dare not even put into words.
But once the girls signed up and paid the deposit, I had no choice but to be supportive and - as I found out - to button my lip. You see my girl knows her own mind. So I've had to wait to be asked for advice. Which has happened occasionally. And I've also been asked for spot prizes, lifts and other Mammy stuff. But with months to go, the girls are already half-way to their target. They're raised thousands of euros through church gate collections, a ferocious amount of bag packing - something I hate doing - and last night, a pub quiz.
I was worried about this too. How would it go? Would anyone turn up? Would they raise enough money? I so wanted it to be a success for her and I was far more nervous than she was.
But I should have had more confidence in her abilities, and those of her friends. It was held in the upstairs room of a lovely old city pub - with its own bar. A friendly drama student was persuaded to do MC, and he was so good that he had two more gig offers before the evening finished. The questions were varied and none of the tables found them too hard or too easy. Oh and one of my teams came third and the other won a pile of raffle prizes - so my friends went home happy :D At the time of writing the quiz organisers are still fast asleep, but I'm pretty sure that last night's efforts made another big contribution to their fund-raising campaign.
Sitting on the bar stool with her took me back, a long way back. To those carefree days before Smiley was born, when I used to take her to the pub for Sunday lunch, when her Dad was working. Just the two of us, sitting and chatting. Last night it was the same, but different. I realised it. Angel really is grown up. She's clever, she's well organised, she's competent and she's professional. She also has a great bunch of friends, and she's going to be just fine, no matter where she goes.
I know the feeling - my eldest Aspie son is off to climb Kilimanjaro next year with World Challenge as part of a team from his specialist school. He'll also do charity project work. He has to raise £4000+. He'll be 15 when he goes but I trust the school to look after him. I think.
ReplyDeleteWhat an adventure your Angel is going to have. Africa is amazing.. not that I have been to Tanzania though! It is a wonderful experience for all of them. Be aware that Africa is 3rd world and the poverty is like nothing she will have ever seen. Aids is huge.. and a lot of the kids will be HIV. Please tell Angel to take extra care. She must cover any cuts that she may have should there be blood around. Also check that surgical gloves will be provided. I don't mean to be a scare monger... I just want them to be HIV aware. I have two ladies who work for me and they are both HIV. Any other info you need let me know.... xx
ReplyDeleteWow! What a totally amazing experience for her - such exciting times...and worrying for you :( My Sister trekked across the Sahara last year and loved it. I would love to do some charity work in Africa, my old boss used to go to Sudan all the time and he had THE best stories xx
ReplyDeleteIt shouldn't bring a lump to my throat - but it does.
ReplyDelete@Tania - That sounds like a pretty big challenge too, but I'm sure his school will look after him very well. I hope he is looking forward to it.
ReplyDelete@Di - All advice about Africa is greatly appreciated. I have told Angel, so she may be in touch! xx
@SAHMLovingIt - I love to hear positive stories about Africa, and do you know, my parents nearly moved to The Sudan, so I was nearly born there! xx
@Esther Mongomery - in a good way I hope x
You should be very proud of her - as you are. And kudos to you for raising such a wonderful young woman. I hope I remember your words when my 3yo is 19 and wantes to go off to do her own thing.
ReplyDelete@Midlife Singlemum - I'm sure you will :)
ReplyDeleteAnd you know she's ready to face the world head on based on how you raised her, right? You have to be so proud.
ReplyDeleteAww what a lovely post, your girl will do you proud and have the adventure of a lifetime to boot.
ReplyDeleteYou must be very proud of her. x
I feel tearful and incredibly happy for you at the same time. What a wonderful creature you have given to the world XXX
ReplyDelete@Lizbeth - I am. But of course I normally only put the good stuff on here - she reads it sometimes! :)
ReplyDelete@Very Bored in Catalunya - Thanks Wendy x
@Jean- I wouldn't go so far as to describe her as a wonderful creature. You should see her room .... x
Ahhh, your last 3 sentences do sum it up, but I can imagine it'd be difficult to be that positive about the whole trip thing all the time! Just keep repeating them as a mantra, and be proud of yourself for doing so well with her x
ReplyDelete@Steph - Yep, I know I am going to have to practice a lot of positive thinking while she's out there! x
ReplyDeleteOh wow, that's lovely. Good luck to you both :-)
ReplyDelete@Suburbia - Thank you :)
ReplyDeleteOh wow, I am going to have to go through all of this shortly when Holly heads off to Uni after the summer. It is all so scary seeing them fly the nest.
ReplyDeleteBut she will always come back as you're he mammy and she is a credit to you.
@lyndylou - Aww yes I wish you lots and lots of strength for when Holly goes to Uni, and having met Holly, I know for sure that she is a huge credit to you xx
ReplyDeleteShe's also her mother's daughter.... Angel will go far ;-)
ReplyDeleteDelighted it all went so well. I know a few kids who did the Africa thing at her age and all had an amazing (and safe) time :-)
xx Jazzy
I know a bit about how you're feeling. My 16 year old daughter wants to do something similar but I feel at 16 she is a bit too young. Maybe in another couple of years time.
ReplyDeleteAll the best to your daughter; I'm sure it will be an amazing experience for her, although a bit worrying for you. Deb x
@Jazzygal - Great to hear good news stories about other teens who enjoyed safe trips to Africa :) xx
ReplyDelete@Deb - Yes, my DD would certainly not have been ready at 16, now I think she probably is. But I'm not! x
First visit to your blog, lovely post! I can't imagine my son being grown up just yet as he's so young, but I know I'll have done my job if he is independent and brave enough to go to Africa at 19!!
ReplyDelete@Lady Grey - Thank you :) I must pop over now and read about your son x
ReplyDeleteI so relate to the emotions you expressed, having a daughter near Angel's age! Thank you for sharing - I will need that 'button lip' skill more and more as time goes on. It helps to know you have mastered it.
ReplyDelete@Barbara - yes it's another transition isn't it? You're still a parent, but you have to let them make their own mistakes and only give advice when they ask for it.
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