When I was young, we used to go camping with friends of my parents from college. We camped at Smokey Lodge by Alturas Lake in Idaho.
(I got this photo here).
All of the families had kids around our ages and we would spend a week each summer playing and laughing and having all sorts of awesome adventures. We found forts in the trees on the mountain and made up skits to perform in the lodge. We played for hours in the lake and made memories that will last a lifetime. What I remember most about our days at Camp Smokey was that we were always laughing. We had so much fun.
Two of the most memorable 'characters' were brothers named David and Russell. Those 2 had so much personality crammed into their little bodies that there was never a dull moment. I know there were other kids around, but I mostly remember hanging out with David and Russell. I still remember specific jokes they told and the sound of their infectious laughter.
I also remember that I didn't especially like them all that much. They were always together - always - and I guess I probably hung out with them by default because they were close to my age. I think David was a little older and Russell was a little younger.
In fact, Russell was really mean to me. He called me by my most hated nickname (not to be divulged on this blog) that he for sure heard from my brothers. AND, the worst part of Mr Russell was that whenever I walked across the large dirt area between the cabins and the lodge he would come out from behind a tree and run with all his might and knock me completely over. I really hated that kid. He made me so mad and when I complained about him to my mom, she just smiled and said that he only picked on me because he liked me.
Sure, whatever.
But, one time I was playing in the fort on the mountain above the lodge and I fell and cut my finger pretty badly. I still have a scar and my mom says that I would have had to have stitches if we had been closer to civilization. (I would probably be a concert pianist if I had been properly treated -- ha!) I remember I was so sad and in quite a bit of pain. After my mom disinfected the cut and wrapped my finger up super tight, I laid on the couch in the caretaker's cabin and just felt sorry for myself. Russell may have been super annoying to me most of the time, but he sat on that couch with me for a very long time just to make sure I was okay. So sweet.
We didn't live close to David and Russell's family so I didn't see them very often and our annual camping trips stopped when my family moved to Hailey when I was 10. In fact, the next time I remember seeing either of them was when I was in college and I was visiting their ward for one of my cousin's mission reports or farewells. It was between meetings and the foyer of the church was super packed as people pushed their way in or out of the chapel. I was slowly making my way into the chapel when from clear down a side hallway I heard - in a booming voice over all the heads of the all people (Russell had gotten really tall) - my most hated nickname. I immediately knew who it was without even looking and I refused to encourage this awful behavior by paying any attention to it. However, ignoring the problem did not make it go away, he just started yelling it louder until I gave him my most convincing glare. Which, actually, didn't stop him either. He eventually made his way over to me to harass me more with a huge grin on his face.
I have no doubt they grew up to be awesome men because they are from a great family and they were such cool kids (at least when they weren't torturing me).
A couple of months ago, I received very sad news that Russell passed away. About a month later, my mom called to tell me that David also died. Even though I can't say that I knew either of them much past the age of 10, I am so sad for their sweet family and everyone affected by this tragedy. I have great memories of those warm summer days of sunburns, too much candy and lots of laughter at Camp Smokey. I hope their family can find peace in this difficult time.
In fact, Russell was really mean to me. He called me by my most hated nickname (not to be divulged on this blog) that he for sure heard from my brothers. AND, the worst part of Mr Russell was that whenever I walked across the large dirt area between the cabins and the lodge he would come out from behind a tree and run with all his might and knock me completely over. I really hated that kid. He made me so mad and when I complained about him to my mom, she just smiled and said that he only picked on me because he liked me.
Sure, whatever.
But, one time I was playing in the fort on the mountain above the lodge and I fell and cut my finger pretty badly. I still have a scar and my mom says that I would have had to have stitches if we had been closer to civilization. (I would probably be a concert pianist if I had been properly treated -- ha!) I remember I was so sad and in quite a bit of pain. After my mom disinfected the cut and wrapped my finger up super tight, I laid on the couch in the caretaker's cabin and just felt sorry for myself. Russell may have been super annoying to me most of the time, but he sat on that couch with me for a very long time just to make sure I was okay. So sweet.
We didn't live close to David and Russell's family so I didn't see them very often and our annual camping trips stopped when my family moved to Hailey when I was 10. In fact, the next time I remember seeing either of them was when I was in college and I was visiting their ward for one of my cousin's mission reports or farewells. It was between meetings and the foyer of the church was super packed as people pushed their way in or out of the chapel. I was slowly making my way into the chapel when from clear down a side hallway I heard - in a booming voice over all the heads of the all people (Russell had gotten really tall) - my most hated nickname. I immediately knew who it was without even looking and I refused to encourage this awful behavior by paying any attention to it. However, ignoring the problem did not make it go away, he just started yelling it louder until I gave him my most convincing glare. Which, actually, didn't stop him either. He eventually made his way over to me to harass me more with a huge grin on his face.
I have no doubt they grew up to be awesome men because they are from a great family and they were such cool kids (at least when they weren't torturing me).
A couple of months ago, I received very sad news that Russell passed away. About a month later, my mom called to tell me that David also died. Even though I can't say that I knew either of them much past the age of 10, I am so sad for their sweet family and everyone affected by this tragedy. I have great memories of those warm summer days of sunburns, too much candy and lots of laughter at Camp Smokey. I hope their family can find peace in this difficult time.
I stole this photo from Russell's Facebook page.
