Ride the Wave

Aaron is nearly packed. Or, perhaps I should say, I am nearly done packing for Aaron. I have found that coping with the impending loss of a family member (because that’s how it feels) leads me to find comfort in the things I love to do. I have already posted about shopping. Now, my love of organizing has really kicked in. I am organizing for Aaron’s departure by perfecting what’s in his luggage, and I am also organizing his things that will stay here at the house when he is gone.

Aaron has two bags that he will be taking on his mission–that’s all he’s really allowed, and it’s all that’s practical given that he won’t have any help dragging his belongings across airports and such. I have divided his things into two piles (one pile per bag): a Guatemala pile and an MTC pile. I am hoping that he will only have to open one bag in the MTC and the other bag, the one with the mosquito netting, the Pepto Bismol, and the waterproof boots, can stay packed and ready to go until his first area. I will let you know if that works.

Yay Ziploc!

The other organizing I’m doing involves keeping his stuff here. We got a giant Rubbermaid container to keep his Buckethead CDs and iPod, as well as other ‘expensive’ stuff safe. But, for the t-shirts and coats and socks and stuff, I have fallen in love with Ziploc totes. They are lightweight and flexible so they are easily filled and then get stuffed in lots of nooks and crannies in our closets. They come in many sizes. I officially have a new toy. I will be using them for many, many things in the house.

The question continues to nag me: am I sending him with too much stuff? Is this like the time I prepped him for his scout camp at Havasupai and was so worried he’d starve I packed his backpack with 60 lbs. worth of supplies, and he had to hike miles with it on his 14-year-old frame? Perhaps. I am even glad Aaron got a meningitis shot even though it was only suggested, not required. Lots of stuff, lots of shots. Over preparing. There is a chance that I am seeking comfort in preparing Aaron so that I know I’ve done everything I could to ensure his comfort and success. There is a chance that I just like to organize. Either way, the poor kid is stuck with me.

I have been getting more and more weird about Aaron leaving–not sleeping, not thinking straight–but more on that later. While part of me is just not myself these days as we approach Aaron’s report date, there is a part of me that very much enjoys the shopping. I was ready to spend a lot of money on missionary clothing, but that ended up being some of the easiest, and surprisingly inexpensive, parts of this journey. MissionaryMall and CTR Clothing really do make that part easy, even with a very tall young man to outfit. What has surprised me is the expense and intricacy of the incidental items Aaron needs for his time in Guatemala.

Try on those mission pants, tall boy!

We spent about an hour going up and down the aisles of Target this week filling all of the little things on Aaron’s list. This included anti-diarrhea pills, Bepto Bismol, a thermometer, Vaseline, mosquito repellant, you name it. $300 later, we had all of that little stuff, but were still in the market for a few more things. That’s when we ended up at REI.

Aaron was telling a man about where he was going on his mission, and this guy gave us the best perspective possible. He said, “it’s going to be like being at Scout Camp for 2 years.” He’s right! The best stuff we got for Aaron has been at a camping store. We got him some microfiber towels, a durable battery powered alarm clock, and best of all, some “wash” which can wash your hair, your body, your dishes, and your clothes! Add some Ziploc totes to waterproof the contents of his luggage, some mosquito netting, and a Dog Dazer (great advice from a lady at the temple), and I think we’re done. The kid is set. Our expectations for comfort and cleanliness during this adventure are low. He’s just going to camp for a couple of years and worry about all that stuff later. I have instructed Aaron to bring nothing home except the clothes on his back: I fully expect everything else to be completely destroyed in the mountains and the rain and the mud.

Good thing this isn’t a beauty contest. This two years will be all about helping other people shine.