Home again home again

Dear Jake,
It's so good to have you home again. I loved seeing you snuggled up in your bed last night - all that red hair plopped on your pillow. You had a great time at camp. I knew you would. You made some new good friends and you and Alex are just like two peas in a pod. But, even so, when I got there I was pleased to see that you and Alex were running in different directions during the morning events and each had your own new friends as well. I thought it was great that you were comparing notes throughout the morning, checking in with one another, and still enjoying the other friends you'd made too. It was great to see.
It will be very cool to go to your September pack meeting and stand up to receive all the achievements you earned at camp. 3 pins and 2 beltloops. That’s pretty good. You should show your denmates your “whittling chip”. I bet they don't have those yet. I didn't even know such a thing existed, but now that you have one you have permission to carry a knife to scouting events to do some whittling, or save the day with your tweezers. You’ve proven you are responsible enough with it and know all the safety rules. I know you're very proud of that - and what 10 year old boy wouldn't be? I mean, who else gets to say, "Get out of my circle of doom!" Grace loves the new pocket knife that you bought for her. That was super nice of you.

I'm sorry we lost Pudge this afternoon. I'm still amazed he lived as long as he did. I really thought we'd lost him on Tuesday morning when I discovered him upside down. but he was a strong little fish, persevering and fighting for life for days, living upside down, periodically righting himself and pushing his way to the top of the tank, then sinking back down to the bottom, exhausted. During your evening vigil at his tank, I wondered how long he was going to be able to fight and live. I wondered if you'd be seated there for days, tirelessly watching and talking to him and praying for him. (Where did you learn to pray anyway? What exactly did you say?) I was worried about you, that you were going to take it so hard and be sad for a long time. But, this afternoon when you called to say that Pudge had died, I knew that you were alright. I guess you had enough time to say goodbye. I'm sure he's feeling very special in the little grave that you and daddy dug for him, with his little cross that you made and the flowers that you laid out. Rarely does a goldfish get such treatment. But then, rarely does a goldfish have such a kindhearted friend as you.
Love, Mom