Someday I wish upon a star, Wake up where the clouds are far
behind me.
This is a line from the classic song, Somewhere over the
Rainbow from the Wizard of Oz. Interesting that this movie was chosen as the
theme for Camp Bluebird’s latest cancer camp the weekend of April 17th-19th. At first glance, one might think what these
two have in common. I would argue
plenty!
At the most basic level, this story-line is about Dorothy
forming friendships along the way to Oz. Camp Bluebird is all about the bonding
of friends over the shared experience of battling cancer. There is a commonality of having faced death
and survived to live another day. With
it comes a deeper appreciation for life and a renewed sense of love for life.
With the appearance of the Evil Witch in the story-line, we
see the forces of good and bad at work. There is nothing good about Cancer. But
at a Camp that is all about relaxation and good times, campers are rewarded for
being alive and having survived. The
good news is St. Thomas; the sponsor of the Camp feels this event is a good way
to treat cancer survivors who have been dealt bad news at some point, having heard
the dreaded C word.
Through the journey of going to Oz, Dorothy meets many folks
all the way. At Camp
At the conclusion of this movie, as much as Dorothy loves
Oz, she is homesick, wanting to return to Kansas. Just like Dorothy, campers love the hideaway
weekend of Camp Bluebird but find, come Sunday, they too miss their families
and their beds at home. Campers know red
shoes aren't needed either to get home, just a simple ride in a car. And yet,
when they leave it feels bittersweet. The friends at Camp they have and made feel
like part of an extended family.
One of the most beautiful parts of Camp is best put by
camper, Lisa Dammont; everyone meets each other right where they are at.” There
is no pulling one another this way or that, no airs or subtle put-downs for
what someone does for a living, how much they make, etc. Each bluebird is equal, on solid ground and
respects each other.
As Dorothy listened well to her companions, everyone at Camp
too exercises active listening skills and offers hugs to each other as a way of
showing support. Physical touching
demonstrates “I got your back.” In a world where so many are concerned only for
themselves, this camp is about what one can give to another.
The hot air balloon in the Wizard of Oz is used to try to
fly Dorothy home. Unfortunately, it
takes off before she has a chance to get in the bucket. At Camp, bluebirds
symbolize the campers, thus they are called bluebirds. Bluebirds had cancer or are still battling
it. The belief is that with the strength
of God powering their wings, they too can fly.
Faith moves mountains so why can’t it power lives?
The yellow brick road led away from Dorothy’s house to Oz.
And yet, ironically, as soon as she got there, she wanted to return home. When bluebirds get to Camp, they feel right at
home. A place that is so peaceful and
full of friends that it is cherished and valued. So, I suppose the Wizard of Oz
differs here because Bluebirds feel they leave their home to come to Camp and
be with their extended family. Ah, yes,
our Camp is like an Oz we love as much as our home!
And as for the bluebirds that have passed away and left this earth, never returning to Camp, we know, as surely as this line,
yes indeed, they are in heaven, gazing down at us flapping their white wings in the sky.
