Community and Compton

(Anna and Elena run the sweep boat at the bottom of Compton rapid on the mighty Shenandoah. The cliffs behind them are over 100ft high)

I shall start this post about happiness with a disclaimer that I am very sunburned and sore and currently have bruises in places that I did not know previously could even bruise, so if I pause my elation to whine, suck it up.
Around 7:30 on Friday night I pulled into my driveway in VA; by 7:30am I was pulling out. My car was only half-unpacked, but I had to be up at camp for a two day canoe program with the 9th grade of a private school from Norfolk on the Shenandoah River north of Luray (pronounced "Loo-Ray" for you Northern folks). I have worked the program in previous years and have loved it. This year Elena, who is one of my best friends and the director of the camp, decided that she and I should be assigned to the lower section of the river for the duration of the program--essentially its the most fun part of the whole trip, and we'd get to run it three times. It's good to have friends in the right places, no?
The whole weekend floored me, because I forgot what it felt like to love what I do. I couldn't stop smiling--it was drizzly and cold on Saturday afternoon and there I was in the stern of this canoe bruised, drenched and grinning.
My co-workers at camp have consistently had a way of leaving me speechless in my descriptions of them and their attitudes. It is refreshing to be surrounded by people who do more than just talk--who are dedicated and who actually live the life they want to live. Working at camp was the best educational experience because each person there had something to teach and was free with their knowledge, and everyone else was receptive to being taught. This weekend I watched while Roc taught Chad capoeira moves, Kate taught yoga to Amy, Elena prepared the most delicious vegetarian meals, Phil played soccer with the kids. When I think of community, I think of these people, because it's never about money or competition or recognition or rank--it's about something far more vast yet much more personal. I don't know exactly what it is, but it inspires me.
I am happy. I am and can recognize it and savor it and bathe myself in it, soaking in the joy that comes when being and doing collide into a refreshing burst of spray.