SUPERMAN IS ONE CALL AWAY
A few years ago I was a junior high counsellor at a coed summer camp. I was assigned a cabin where I was responsible for twelve boys. There were many cabins with counsellors and campers. During the day we would gather for group activities. Davey was one of those boys.
From outward appearances, Davey was not having much fun. Davey wasn’t disruptive or disrespectful, he was simply quiet and shy. Davey was pudgy and talked so low you had to strain to hear what he was saying. He was one of those kids a counselor longs to help. Davey did not act like he needed help. He always participated, although he seemed to try and make himself invisible while doing it. He was like this boulder in the middle of a rushing river. Davey was just there while the other boys and girls talked, laughed, and played all around him.
Every evening after dinner and before bed, the campers would gather in the great hall for music and special group activities. Tonight was the third night of our five day camp experience and I was giving up hope that anyone would appreciate Davey the way I did. Davey may have been pudgy and shy, but he was his own man. Underneath his isolation was a strength of character that had most likely gone unappreciated all his life.
The camp leader began the evening by announcing that after dinner there would a Karaoke competition called, “Summer Camp’s Got Talent.” He went on to say there would be special prizes given to the winners in the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade categories. Winners could be individual performers or group performers. Winners would be determined by whoever received the loudest applause from the audience. If you wanted to participate, you were to sign up during dinner and write down your music preference. The group broke into excited murmuring, interrupted by the meal time prayer.
Following dinner everyone gathered for evening announcements, reflections upon the high points of the day, and a warning to whoever stole three rolls of toilet paper out of the boys bathroom not use it for anything other than its intended purpose. Finally, it was time for “Summer Camp’s Got Talent. The Master of Ceremonies took the mic and said in a dramatically loud voice, “ARE YOU READY TO ROCK YOUR SOCKS OFF!!! He said it several times until the kids yelled YES so loud I thought glass might break.
After the prolonged drum roll and cymbal banging, the first act was called to the stage. Group after group came to the stage singing and occasionally dancing. Each group was rewarded with politely enthusiastic applause. Then the most amazing thing happened. The M. C. called Davey’s name. Slow and steady, Davey rose and took his place behind the stage microphone, his eyes never completely rising to a ninety degree angle. The music started and Davey began to sing, slowly and softly for a brief moment, then his eyes rose and somehow he transformed into a super hero singing “One Call Away.”
From outward appearances, Davey was not having much fun. Davey wasn’t disruptive or disrespectful, he was simply quiet and shy. Davey was pudgy and talked so low you had to strain to hear what he was saying. He was one of those kids a counselor longs to help. Davey did not act like he needed help. He always participated, although he seemed to try and make himself invisible while doing it. He was like this boulder in the middle of a rushing river. Davey was just there while the other boys and girls talked, laughed, and played all around him.
Every evening after dinner and before bed, the campers would gather in the great hall for music and special group activities. Tonight was the third night of our five day camp experience and I was giving up hope that anyone would appreciate Davey the way I did. Davey may have been pudgy and shy, but he was his own man. Underneath his isolation was a strength of character that had most likely gone unappreciated all his life.
The camp leader began the evening by announcing that after dinner there would a Karaoke competition called, “Summer Camp’s Got Talent.” He went on to say there would be special prizes given to the winners in the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade categories. Winners could be individual performers or group performers. Winners would be determined by whoever received the loudest applause from the audience. If you wanted to participate, you were to sign up during dinner and write down your music preference. The group broke into excited murmuring, interrupted by the meal time prayer.
Following dinner everyone gathered for evening announcements, reflections upon the high points of the day, and a warning to whoever stole three rolls of toilet paper out of the boys bathroom not use it for anything other than its intended purpose. Finally, it was time for “Summer Camp’s Got Talent. The Master of Ceremonies took the mic and said in a dramatically loud voice, “ARE YOU READY TO ROCK YOUR SOCKS OFF!!! He said it several times until the kids yelled YES so loud I thought glass might break.
After the prolonged drum roll and cymbal banging, the first act was called to the stage. Group after group came to the stage singing and occasionally dancing. Each group was rewarded with politely enthusiastic applause. Then the most amazing thing happened. The M. C. called Davey’s name. Slow and steady, Davey rose and took his place behind the stage microphone, his eyes never completely rising to a ninety degree angle. The music started and Davey began to sing, slowly and softly for a brief moment, then his eyes rose and somehow he transformed into a super hero singing “One Call Away.”
I'm only one call away
I'll be there to save the day
Superman got nothing on me
I'm only one call away
Call me, baby, if you need a friend
I just wanna give you love
Come on, come on, come on
Reaching out to you, so take a chance
No matter where you go
You know you're not alone
I'm only one call away
I'll be there to save the day
Superman got nothing on me
I'm only one call away
Come along with me and don't be scared
I just wanna set you free
Come on, come on, come one
You and me can make it anywhere
For now, we can stay here for a while, ay
'Cause you know, I just wanna see you smile
No matter where you go
You know you're not alone
I'm only one call away
I'll be there to save the day
Superman got nothing on me
I'm only one call away
And when you're weak I'll be strong
I'm gonna keep holding on
Now don't you worry, it won't be long, Darling
And when you feel like hope is gone
Just run into my arms
I'm only one call away
I'll be there to save the day
Superman got nothing on me
I'm only one, I'm only one call away
I'll be there to save the day
Superman got nothing on me
I'm only one call away
I'm only one call away
Somewhere in the middle of this song, all of the boys and girls were on their feet clapping in rhythm, singing along, and dancing. After Davey finished they continued their standing ovation well beyond the time it took for Davey to take his seat. Davey didn’t change much, but everyone around him was transformed; the river became a lake and Davey was a rock upon which many stopped for rest.
This is the story of Noah. One person can save the universe. That person is someone who embraces the maturity of their mortality, and makes a choice of what they are willing to live and die for. If that choice is at one with the principles of creation you can change the world.
Comments
Post a Comment