The Face of the Earth…

29. January 2008 by Shannon.

… or no, I haven’t fallen off it (yet)!

 We have been so busy here in our little homeschool… busy reading, busy catching up on projects, and busy just spending our days together.  In 2007 we spent a lot of time being busy in a different way.  Because of a back injury I spent several days a week running to physiotherapy and other various doctor’s appointments.  I struggled to stay on top of my self-appointed homeschool schedule - with varying degrees of success.  It was a learning experience for both Kenzi and I… she had to learn to apply herself, and I had to learn patience.  Not everything in our wonderful plan is going to get done… I have to be ready to accept “gaps” (is it any wonder that when you rearrange the word gaps, you get GASP!  That is the expected response to the terrifying though that somehow, through our own lacking, our children will be scarred for life with some terrible GAP in their education.  But, I ask you, is that true?

Well, for some kids, yes… I guess it is.  I mean, I know many people who, having been forced to read (or write) through the public system (although I guess it can happen coming from a homeschool as well, to be fair) who vow never to read or write again.  Of course they don’t mean that they will never look at a book or pick up a pencil again… but that they will do so with great reluctance rather than with great pleasure.   But most people spend their lives learning.  For example… TODAY I learned how to grow potatoes without ever breaking the ground (thanks to www.homeschoolradioshow.com ’s “Potato King”).  I am 36 years old, and am ashamed to admit I never knew how to plant potatoes.  Was I scarred for life?  No, although it’d have been a fun project to do with the older kids when they were Greyson and Chaeli’s age…. but that’s okay, they can help with Greyson and Chaeli doing it now… and life moves on. 

I love the show “Lost”.  It’s my favourite at the moment (probably because you REALLY have to pay attention to keep track of all the connections… so it’s like challenging my aging brain *wink*).  In one episode, one of the main characters meets this woman who informs him that “The Universe has a way of course correcting”  So, if you manage to avoid imminent disaster today, it’ll  just befall you tomorrw (okay, not the most uplifting of thoughts but bear with me….).  Which taken another way could be saying that where there is a “gap” today, tomorrow will be filled.  What is missing will be found…. all the pieces will come together for good in the end… all we need is faith in the process.

Ah!  That’s the kicker for most homeschoolers.  FAITH IN THE PROCESS… that’s not so easy to come by on days where you schedule has gone sadly off course or worse - left town altogether.  What do you do when life throws a curve ball and you just weren’t expecting it… your pretty little plans are left in the dust… ?

You have faith.  You push through whatever the challenge is… teaching LIFE SKILLS all the way along.  Life IS about adapting - about rolling with the punches - about seeing the forest for the trees…. but it’s not easy.  One thing I find solace in is that I’m not the only person who’s had “one of those” years.  I get no pleasure out of knowing my friends struggle too, but like they say, Misery Loves Company. 

But January, so far, has been one of those “filling” times… catching up on those “gaps” that were starting to be evident.  And for that I am truly thankful.  So, yes… 2007 was a Very Bad Year over all… but I am casting that behind me and looking towards the bright and promising horizon with new goals, more patience, and above all… a fresh understanding.

Learning never ends…. and apparently you CAN teach an old dog new tricks after all!

Blessings!

OH!  And before I go, I wanted to announce my newest pride and joy… ANOTHER website! 

www.epicureselections.com/Shannon_Ratcliffe.aspx

Posted in Great Finds, General Homeschool | Print | 1 Comment »