Chungamunga Girls

[literature]

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To be a Chungamunga Girl is to go back into their lives in a magical time where there was no talk or remembrances of illnesses, tests or anything related to their condition.  Not everyone is sick when they are at the Allagash; most aren't, but they've had a bad diagnosis.  They prepare for their time at the Allagash with excitement, not knowing what to expect.  As Mr. Monninger describes it "It begins in your head as a fantasy and slowly builds".  There is no way to research it, everything has to be a first experience and you only experience it once.  This experience teaches them to be inventive, creative and responsible.  Wally makes sure they learn responsibility by "paying" back with responsibilities for their food.  Without modern day conveniences ruling their lives, they have to get back to basics and embrace nature.  It teaches them to do a lot of soul searching and enjoy the natural beauty around them and with this comes acceptance of themselves.  It keeps them connected with their peers and they learn to depend and cooperate with each other.  They leave their camping experience with a love of life.

The Chungamunga Girls believe they are "Eternal on the Water" because from generation to generation there will always be Chungamunga girls on the Allagash.  "As long as there is time, there will be a Chungamunga girl on these waters."  Since the camp is funded by donations, it is the Chungamunga's  hope for the young campers to remember their experience at the camp and contribute to it in later years thereby keeping it going.  As further proof of its eternal existence, Wally relates the story to Jonathan of when the paper company reclaimed the land that the campsite was on and sold it to a Korean concern and the camp was abondoned.  And so it became a floating operation, just a name and a memory of a camp.  The name stuck and the board members fought like hell to keep some identity.  Wally first thought the camp lingered on out of simple nostalgia.  And maybe it did at first.  But then the first donors re-envisioned the camp experience and came up with this idea.  "And it is eternal on the river, and can never be taken away from them." 

[donelsonj]

What is your impression of the romance of being a "Chungamunga Girl?"

How is the singular and mysterious nature of the invitation contrasted with the diagnosis each of the girls has received?

When Cobb asks Myrtle if she'd like to be a minister, she answers, "I won't live long enough to be anything. Today I am whatever I will be." What is your impression of the level of understanding that these girls have about their own conditions? How do you think Mary's attitude about the possibility of her condition is similar to or different than Myrtles? It appears that the girls all know the reality of their diagnoses. Myrtle and Mary appear to have similar outlooks. They do not know what tomorrow will bring, so they are living in the "now" as if there is no tomorrow.

How is Mary a Chungamunga girl? Mary's family history of Huntington's Disease and her not knowing what the future may bring makes her one of the Chungamunga girls.

What is your understanding of what they mean when the girls say "I am eternal on this water?"  This one time experience of belonging and the traditions and initiations that occur in this camp give these girls a feeling of security. They have the knowledge that this "group" will always continue as will the traditions.

Is it apparent that each of the girls is sick, from what we've read so far? How are the girls "ordinary girl" and how do they seem different? The girls enjoy the chaos of life that all girls enjoy. But it appears that the structure of their experience is also important to them as their diseases have made their lives chaotic in ways that most girls do not experience. They enjoy adventure, gossip, and romance - as is evidenced with their plans for Cobb and Mary.

What do you make of Wally? She has a special connection to these girls. She is steady, compassionate, but not enabling. She knows how to make the girls understand that they all have something to offer, no matter how small it may seem, with her making them "pay" for their meals occasionally.

[coffee_luvr]

What is your impression of the romance of being a "Chungamunga Girl?"

I loved the way that they make the group so special, not just by how the girls are notified, but the lifelong comfort and inclusiveness of being part of this special sisterhood. 

How is the singular and mysterious nature of the invitation contrasted with the diagnosis each of the girls has received?

The invitation is so special like being invited to an exclusive sorority; but the only girls selected have serious health concerns.  Blessings coming from something painful.

When Cobb asks Myrtle if she'd like to be a minister, she answers, "I won't live long enough to be anything. Today I am whatever I will be." What is your impression of the level of understanding that these girls have about their own conditions? How do you think Mary's attitude about the possibility of her condition is similar to or different than Myrtles?

I wasn't certain if all the girls understood why they were selected initially. Myrtle certainly is well aware.  Myrtle seems very at peace about her destiny.  I am not feeling that Mary is really at peace with hers. Not that I would be either.

How is Mary a Chungamunga girl?  She too has a disease that will shorten her life. 

What is your understanding of what they mean when the girls say "I am eternal on this water?"

I think this statement represents both a physical and a spiritual meaning.  Chungamunga girls will always return to the river.

Is it apparent that each of the girls is sick, from what we've read so far? How are the girls "ordinary girl" and how do they seem different?

These girls want Mary to marry Cobb; they believe in happily ever after just like any other girl their age.  They want to giggle, play games, explore and really want the fairy tale wedding it seems. 

They are different though because they are more conscious of mortality.

What do you make of Wally?

I really liked her, she seemed wise and yet quirky.   Loved that she had been doing this for the girls for so long. 

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[carol_fa]

I think being a Chungamunga Girl is a wonderful way to help a young girl deal with her diagnosis.  Being with other girls that are dealing with the same thing...  The Chungamunga Girls are there for each other and are able to feel "normal" while they are together. The memories that they are making are happy ones. I think Mary is a Chungamunga Girl not only because of her disease that she might or might not have, but also because of her caring and loving soul. She is a great teacher to these girls.

Myrtle is wise beyond her years.  I think Myrtle has accepted her diagnosis, and is very matter of fact in they way she lives her life.  She knows she will die at a very young age, whereas Mary does not really know if she has Huntingtons disease or not. I think Mary is very matter of fact as well, but she still has a 50/50 chance that she will or will not have Huntingtons. Mary wants to live life to its fullest. Myrtle seems resigned to the fact that she will die early and seems to be done living, so very sad. She said "Today I am whatever I will be", she could have 10 or 15 more years to live, but she seems like she has given up already.

I think Wally is a very spiritual and caring woman. Possibly having lost a daughter to a disease? I can't wait to find out more about Wally.

I think "I am eternal on this water" is for the memories the girls are making on the river, no matter what, you can't take away a memory. A part of each one of these girls will truly be "eternal on this water".

[krb2g]

I think one of the neat parts of the Chungamunga experience is that the camp, like the girls, has already experienced some adversity and overcome, leading to one way it can be considered eternal on the water: there was a physical camp in the early years, but the land got sold, so the campers took to the water, which will presumably always be open to them. I think it's important that the campers know this history, so they can see the strength of the vision of the camp in action (just as they're connected to the camp's alumnae through the invitation process and at the final campsite). I also think it's important that they go on a journey down the river, rather than hanging out a campsite for a while. While the latter is undoubtedly fun, the journey aspect adds to the symbolism of the camp.

I thought the way everyone kept saying that meeting the Chungamunga girls on the river brings good luck was a little heavy-handed.

If you're interested in the song they play for Cobb, you can find a bagpipes version by searching for "Lament for Rory Mor" on iTunes and a sung version by searching for "Tog orm mo phiob." I looked for a version on youtube that I could link, but I was unable to find anything.

[Vermontcozy]

Thank you for the song posting,I will try and download,especially for a friend who plays in a local Bag Pipe group,here in Vt..I was wondering why you thought it was a little"heavy handed"

when meeting the girls,people thought it brought them good luck.The puriy of their young minds,and what they are dealing with to me was an inspiration..Best..Vtc

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krb2g wrote:

I think one of the neat parts of the Chungamunga experience is that the camp, like the girls, has already experienced some adversity and overcome, leading to one way it can be considered eternal on the water: there was a physical camp in the early years, but the land got sold, so the campers took to the water, which will presumably always be open to them. I think it's important that the campers know this history, so they can see the strength of the vision of the camp in action (just as they're connected to the camp's alumnae through the invitation process and at the final campsite). I also think it's important that they go on a journey down the river, rather than hanging out a campsite for a while. While the latter is undoubtedly fun, the journey aspect adds to the symbolism of the camp.

I thought the way everyone kept saying that meeting the Chungamunga girls on the river brings good luck was a little heavy-handed.

If you're interested in the song they play for Cobb, you can find a bagpipes version by searching for "Lament for Rory Mor" on iTunes and a sung version by searching for "Tog orm mo phiob." I looked for a version on youtube that I could link, but I was unable to find anything.

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krb2g wrote:

I think one of the neat parts of the Chungamunga experience is that the camp, like the girls, has already experienced some adversity and overcome, leading to one way it can be considered eternal on the water: there was a physical camp in the early years, but the land got sold, so the campers took to the water, which will presumably always be open to them. I think it's important that the campers know this history, so they can see the strength of the vision of the camp in action (just as they're connected to the camp's alumnae through the invitation process and at the final campsite). I also think it's important that they go on a journey down the river, rather than hanging out a campsite for a while. While the latter is undoubtedly fun, the journey aspect adds to the symbolism of the camp.

I thought the way everyone kept saying that meeting the Chungamunga girls on the river brings good luck was a little heavy-handed.

If you're interested in the song they play for Cobb, you can find a bagpipes version by searching for "Lament for Rory Mor" on iTunes and a sung version by searching for "Tog orm mo phiob." I looked for a version on youtube that I could link, but I was unable to find anything.

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[krb2g]

I definitely think the Chungamunga program is neat and the achievements of the girls inspiring. But every time I heard "it's good luck to meet the Chungamunga girls on the river" (and we hear a lot of it before we learn about the illness connection to Chungamunga) I thought 1) Monniger is trying to say something about the Chungamunga girls that he doesn't want to say outright (I think he wants us to develop the understanding of the girls' diseases and thus Mary's potential HD gradually, as Cobb does) but we're already supposed to be predisposed to them in a certain way and 2) that insofar as seeing the Chungamunga girls and getting luck is a euphamism (because I think the luck is definitely related to their bravery in the face of adversity), then it struck me as somewhat patronizing.

I'll freely grant that this entire objection could easily just be me being grouchy, and it certainly doesn't mean that I don't like the book as a whole (because I do: I think the author's style is wonderful, and the characters and the story spoke to me)--but I do think it's worth thinking about the parts that rub us the wrong way.

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Vermontcozy wrote:

[snip] I was wondering why you thought it was a little"heavy handed"

when meeting the girls,people thought it brought them good luck.The puriy of their young minds,and what they are dealing with to me was an inspiration..Best..Vtc

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krb2g wrote:

I thought the way everyone kept saying that meeting the Chungamunga girls on the river brings good luck was a little heavy-handed.

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[ssizemore]

I love this post!  I too believe that the girls are made to be special and to have a magical time with other girls who are in crisis just like they are.  There are actually many camps in Maine--possibly even some that cater to those who are ill.  I know that there is a bond formed with the campers and those who attend are always connected to their friends and the camp.

I also think that the experience connects these children in a special way, in that they are all suffering from a life threatening illness.  When they are with the Chunamunga girls, they are "normal" because the others understand.  In a normal setting, other girls cannot really understand what they face.  As a Chungamunga girl, each campers has a wide group of people who face similar circumstances.

The book's title seems to me to let the girls know that their spirits are eternal.  The river will always be there and their spirits will be a part of the beauty and love surrounding the river.

Just love this book!

Sandy

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DSaff wrote:

I absolutely love the idea of the Chunqamunqa Girls! It seems like Make-A-Wish without the girl realizing what her wish is. The diagnosis, or possibility of diagnosis, of a life-threatening disease is something they all share, yet none of these girls lets it stop her from enjoying her time on the river. The extravagance and elegance of the invitation makes each feel special, something everyone should feel, and lifts them up to a place where they can enjoy the experience. The bond created during their time together is life-long, and extends to all women who have ever been in their shoes.

I think the saying "being eternal on the water" relates to being something other than sick during their time together. They aren't treated as dying girls, instead as vibrant, alive young women with all the potential in the world. This is their time. The river brings them all together, through all the years, and enables them to remain part of that group forever. They are "eternal."

Myrtle grabbed my heart right away. To know that a disease is going to take your life early must be horrible. But, she moves on in her life, loving her mother and enjoying her time on the water. She is wise and doesn't seem to want pity. She is what she is and will make the most of the time she has. (We should all do that especially since we don't know how much time we have.) Myrtle is a realist. We don't know why she learned that she was sick, but it was probably through treatments. Mary hasn't been sick and doesn't want to know if the illness is hiding within her. She wants to live her life to the fullest each day instead of being hampered by knowledge. Myrtle and Mary are alike in that they live fully each moment and don't seem to cling to the thought of dying.

Wally is a character, and as the girls say, she may be a bear. <grin> Having only read through Ch. 8, I don't know her background, but she impresses me as someone who cares deeply for these girls/women. She has probably seen many pass on, yet she continues to make the experience (food, "payment," etc.) the absolute best it can be for these girls. Her love for her work it apparent.

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[Vermontcozy]

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krb2g wrote:

I definitely think the Chungamunga program is neat and the achievements of the girls inspiring. But every time I heard "it's good luck to meet the Chungamunga girls on the river" (and we hear a lot of it before we learn about the illness connection to Chungamunga) I thought 1) Monniger is trying to say something about the Chungamunga girls that he doesn't want to say outright (I think he wants us to develop the understanding of the girls' diseases and thus Mary's potential HD gradually, as Cobb does) but we're already supposed to be predisposed to them in a certain way and 2) that insofar as seeing the Chungamunga girls and getting luck is a euphamism (because I think the luck is definitely related to their bravery in the face of adversity), then it struck me as somewhat patronizing.

I'll freely grant that this entire objection could easily just be me being grouchy, and it certainly doesn't mean that I don't like the book as a whole (because I do: I think the author's style is wonderful, and the characters and the story spoke to me)--but I do think it's worth thinking about the parts that rub us the wrong way.

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Vermontcozy wrote:

[snip] I was wondering why you thought it was a little"heavy handed"

when meeting the girls,people thought it brought them good luck.The puriy of their young minds,and what they are dealing with to me was an inspiration..Best..Vtc

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krb2g wrote:

I thought the way everyone kept saying that meeting the Chungamunga girls on the river brings good luck was a little heavy-handed.

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Thank you krb2g..I always enjoy your posts,You are more objective than I..Yes it was a build up to what we now know,Not many books have had this effect on me,emotionally.The writing is wonderful,the story and how Joseph created his characters are touching me(,Grouchy. I don't you well enough to comment :  )..On to chapter 9..reading slower than usual...Vtc

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krb2g wrote:

I definitely think the Chungamunga program is neat and the achievements of the girls inspiring. But every time I heard "it's good luck to meet the Chungamunga girls on the river" (and we hear a lot of it before we learn about the illness connection to Chungamunga) I thought 1) Monniger is trying to say something about the Chungamunga girls that he doesn't want to say outright (I think he wants us to develop the understanding of the girls' diseases and thus Mary's potential HD gradually, as Cobb does) but we're already supposed to be predisposed to them in a certain way and 2) that insofar as seeing the Chungamunga girls and getting luck is a euphamism (because I think the luck is definitely related to their bravery in the face of adversity), then it struck me as somewhat patronizing.

I'll freely grant that this entire objection could easily just be me being grouchy, and it certainly doesn't mean that I don't like the book as a whole (because I do: I think the author's style is wonderful, and the characters and the story spoke to me)--but I do think it's worth thinking about the parts that rub us the wrong way.

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Vermontcozy wrote:

[snip] I was wondering why you thought it was a little"heavy handed"

when meeting the girls,people thought it brought them good luck.The puriy of their young minds,and what they are dealing with to me was an inspiration..Best..Vtc

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krb2g wrote:

I thought the way everyone kept saying that meeting the Chungamunga girls on the river brings good luck was a little heavy-handed.

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[thewanderingjew]

I agree that parts of the book seem contrived and heavy handed but I am not sure that the subject matter could be handled in any other way. Life threatening illness is a difficult issue to deal with, but even more so when it involves the young, because it is out of the natural order of things.
I feel that the author, with his injection of unreality through the use of fable and fantasy, has softened the awful reality of the spectre of death that hangs over these youngsters and has made the subject matter that some of us might have found too difficult to read, or perhaps even been unable to read, very readable. It also opens a window onto the courage necessary to face life's unmitigated challenges, regardless of age.

[Vermontcozy]

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thewanderingjew wrote:

I agree that parts of the book seem contrived and heavy handed but I am not sure that the subject matter could be handled in any other way. Life threatening illness is a difficult issue to deal with, but even more so when it involves the young, because it is out of the natural order of things.
I feel that the author, with his injection of unreality through the use of fable and fantasy, has softened the awful reality of the spectre of death that hangs over these youngsters and has made the subject matter that some of us might have found too difficult to read, or perhaps even been unable to read, very readable. It also opens a window onto the courage necessary to face life's unmitigated challenges, regardless of age.

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I must agree ,I can't imagine how else Joseph could"ve written any of those passages any other way to get his point across.With some difficulty,because of the premise ,I am of course reading on,so much to the book than I anticipated....Vtc

[krb2g]

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thewanderingjew wrote:

I agree that parts of the book seem contrived and heavy handed but I am not sure that the subject matter could be handled in any other way. Life threatening illness is a difficult issue to deal with, but even more so when it involves the young, because it is out of the natural order of things.
I feel that the author, with his injection of unreality through the use of fable and fantasy, has softened the awful reality of the spectre of death that hangs over these youngsters and has made the subject matter that some of us might have found too difficult to read, or perhaps even been unable to read, very readable. It also opens a window onto the courage necessary to face life's unmitigated challenges, regardless of age.

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I hadn't thought of it that way. Thank you.

[nfam]

I thought the concept of the Chungamunga girls was wonderful. They're sick and they know it, but being a Chungamunga girl gives them something special. It also shows them that they can do things; things even some well children would have trouble with. I thought running the rapids was an exceptionally good way to give them courage. 

[maxcat]

I've been thinking and someone had answered that maybe this was like Make a Wish foundation for terminally ill kids. I agree with that concept but why is it limited to just girls? Is it sort of a brownie or girl scout type thing but with make a wish tied in there somewhere?

[thewanderingjew]

Here is an interesting bit of trivia about Rory Mor. I also found this interesting wikipedia article. BTW,
Sir Roderick "Rory Mor" MacLeod, was the 16th chief of the Clan MacLeod according to another website. The clan motto is hold fast.

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Vermontcozy wrote:

Thank you for the song posting,I will try and download,especially for a friend who plays in a local Bag Pipe group,here in Vt..I was wondering why you thought it was a little"heavy handed"

when meeting the girls,people thought it brought them good luck.The puriy of their young minds,and what they are dealing with to me was an inspiration..Best..Vtc

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krb2g wrote:

I think one of the neat parts of the Chungamunga experience is that the camp, like the girls, has already experienced some adversity and overcome, leading to one way it can be considered eternal on the water: there was a physical camp in the early years, but the land got sold, so the campers took to the water, which will presumably always be open to them. I think it's important that the campers know this history, so they can see the strength of the vision of the camp in action (just as they're connected to the camp's alumnae through the invitation process and at the final campsite). I also think it's important that they go on a journey down the river, rather than hanging out a campsite for a while. While the latter is undoubtedly fun, the journey aspect adds to the symbolism of the camp.

I thought the way everyone kept saying that meeting the Chungamunga girls on the river brings good luck was a little heavy-handed.

If you're interested in the song they play for Cobb, you can find a bagpipes version by searching for "Lament for Rory Mor" on iTunes and a sung version by searching for "Tog orm mo phiob." I looked for a version on youtube that I could link, but I was unable to find anything.

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krb2g wrote:

I think one of the neat parts of the Chungamunga experience is that the camp, like the girls, has already experienced some adversity and overcome, leading to one way it can be considered eternal on the water: there was a physical camp in the early years, but the land got sold, so the campers took to the water, which will presumably always be open to them. I think it's important that the campers know this history, so they can see the strength of the vision of the camp in action (just as they're connected to the camp's alumnae through the invitation process and at the final campsite). I also think it's important that they go on a journey down the river, rather than hanging out a campsite for a while. While the latter is undoubtedly fun, the journey aspect adds to the symbolism of the camp.

I thought the way everyone kept saying that meeting the Chungamunga girls on the river brings good luck was a little heavy-handed.

If you're interested in the song they play for Cobb, you can find a bagpipes version by searching for "Lament for Rory Mor" on iTunes and a sung version by searching for "Tog orm mo phiob." I looked for a version on youtube that I could link, but I was unable to find anything.

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[thewanderingjew]

I found this translation of the lyrics:

LAMENT OF RORY MOR

Give me my pipes, I’ll home them carry

In these sad halls, I dare not tarry;

My pipes hand o’er, my heart is sore

For Rory Mor, my Rory Mor.

Fetch me my pipes—my heart is breaking,

For Rory Mor his rest is taking;

He wakes no more, and to its core

My heart is sore for Rory Mor.

Hand me my pipes—I’m sad and weary,

These halls are silent, dark and eerie;

The pipe no more cheers as of yore—

The race is o’er, brave Rory Mor!

[Vermontcozy]

We thank you for the link,twj ,Interesting that this tune was chosen..,with the motto of the clan"Hold Fast"Vtc

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thewanderingjew wrote:

Here is an interesting bit of trivia about Rory Mor. I also found this interesting wikipedia article. BTW,
Sir Roderick "Rory Mor" MacLeod, was the 16th chief of the Clan MacLeod according to another website. The clan motto is hold fast.

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Vermontcozy wrote:

Thank you for the song posting,I will try and download,especially for a friend who plays in a local Bag Pipe group,here in Vt..I was wondering why you thought it was a little"heavy handed"

when meeting the girls,people thought it brought them good luck.The puriy of their young minds,and what they are dealing with to me was an inspiration..Best..Vtc

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krb2g wrote:

I think one of the neat parts of the Chungamunga experience is that the camp, like the girls, has already experienced some adversity and overcome, leading to one way it can be considered eternal on the water: there was a physical camp in the early years, but the land got sold, so the campers took to the water, which will presumably always be open to them. I think it's important that the campers know this history, so they can see the strength of the vision of the camp in action (just as they're connected to the camp's alumnae through the invitation process and at the final campsite). I also think it's important that they go on a journey down the river, rather than hanging out a campsite for a while. While the latter is undoubtedly fun, the journey aspect adds to the symbolism of the camp.

I thought the way everyone kept saying that meeting the Chungamunga girls on the river brings good luck was a little heavy-handed.

If you're interested in the song they play for Cobb, you can find a bagpipes version by searching for "Lament for Rory Mor" on iTunes and a sung version by searching for "Tog orm mo phiob." I looked for a version on youtube that I could link, but I was unable to find anything.

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krb2g wrote:

I think one of the neat parts of the Chungamunga experience is that the camp, like the girls, has already experienced some adversity and overcome, leading to one way it can be considered eternal on the water: there was a physical camp in the early years, but the land got sold, so the campers took to the water, which will presumably always be open to them. I think it's important that the campers know this history, so they can see the strength of the vision of the camp in action (just as they're connected to the camp's alumnae through the invitation process and at the final campsite). I also think it's important that they go on a journey down the river, rather than hanging out a campsite for a while. While the latter is undoubtedly fun, the journey aspect adds to the symbolism of the camp.

I thought the way everyone kept saying that meeting the Chungamunga girls on the river brings good luck was a little heavy-handed.

If you're interested in the song they play for Cobb, you can find a bagpipes version by searching for "Lament for Rory Mor" on iTunes and a sung version by searching for "Tog orm mo phiob." I looked for a version on youtube that I could link, but I was unable to find anything.

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[T-Mo]

When Cobb asks Myrtle if she'd like to be a minister, she answers, "I won't live long enough to be anything. Today I am whatever I will be." What is your impression of the level of understanding that these girls have about their own conditions? How do you think Mary's attitude about the possibility of her condition is similar to or different than Myrtles?

Mary and Myrtle’s attitude is similar in that both live their lives one day at a time, enjoying their adventures. The difference between the two is in the fact that Myrtle seems to have acknowledged her disease and is living life to the fullest. Mary on the other hand, while living her life, has no idea if she will be overcome by Huntington’s Disease or not. Mary seems afraid that having that knowledge will change how she lives her life, as if the disease will define her. Myrtle seems to have decided not to let her disease define who she is or control her life. 

[Vermontcozy]

Time to Say Goodbye  I received this for my Bday last year..Its so beautiful

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thewanderingjew wrote:

I found this translation of the lyrics:

LAMENT OF RORY MOR

Give me my pipes, I’ll home them carry

In these sad halls, I dare not tarry;

My pipes hand o’er, my heart is sore

For Rory Mor, my Rory Mor.

Fetch me my pipes—my heart is breaking,

For Rory Mor his rest is taking;

He wakes no more, and to its core

My heart is sore for Rory Mor.

Hand me my pipes—I’m sad and weary,

These halls are silent, dark and eerie;

The pipe no more cheers as of yore—

The race is o’er, brave Rory Mor!

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I am printing this for a friend..he will love the lyrics,and then find the music.maybe Paul can find the Music,he always does find obscure Music,or should I say Vintage..It would fit well here I am listening to the above CD..

[pen21]

Thank You. Your post helped me figure out what Chungamunga Girls brought to the book.

It fit in the story, but it seemed a little forced to me. I have only read the first section.

So I was having a little difficulty with the story as a whole and how it all fit in.

pen21

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Vermontcozy wrote:

The romance of being a "Chungamunga Girl"The Creation of this Camp is just a story within a story,like a fable,reality mixed with a bit of fanatsy and I just want to sprinkle some Angel Dust all over them.and all will be well,and wonderful for them..I think thats how they feel.Living with this knowlege of their illness,and without any notice they are tranformed,and brought into a safe,beautiful world,where just maybe they will heal spiritually .The "Girls" also feel so special in a good way,not because of their illness.Mary was chosen by another older "Chungamunga Girl' who passed down her experience to Mary by inviting her.Eternal on the Water,they will live forever..like Mary will.I guess I have trouble accepting that all the girls are so sick,so I just see them as girls having an exceptional camp experience that they will remember forever.Wally is their pilar of strength and knowledge.. Vtc

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