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.

Band Camp is located in an isolated rural place, far from comfortable amenities and distractions. The camping cabins are rustic, smell of mildew, and are spider-ridden.  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.  The food, although filling, consisted of high-calorie, bland-tasting fare.  Nothing was fresh; everything tasted like it came from a can…and it probably did.

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 particularly frustrated.  The rigorous activity and the living conditions were getting to me.  I was hot and tired.  My muscles were sore and I was probably slightly dehydrated.  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 UPS truck coming down the lane.  “Oh great”, I said.  “Probably some more of that fattening food being delivered”, added my friend.  Imagine my surprise (and delight) when the Band Director called out my name with his megaphone to inform me that it was I who had the delivery.

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 box was a colorful basket FULL of fresh, juicy fruit.  There were red and yellow delicious apples, green Bartlett pears, red grapes, and bright oranges.  Juicy nectarines and peaches were also included.  Sealed packages of raisins, dried cherries, and banana chips were thrown in, as well.  It was a bushel-full, so there was enough fruit to share with everyone!  The colorful arrangement was so enticing, we began enjoying it immediately.  The basket of fresh fruit was the healthiest we had eaten all week.  We savored each nutritious mouthful.  It gave us the boost we needed to make it through the week…physically and mentally.

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.

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.

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