This week is spring vacation for the school children. I learned long ago that there is little point in trying to maintain our home learning schedule when school is out; our doorbell rings too often. So this week, my children will connect with their friends, while I sit at the dining room table and think about the last ten weeks of our learning calendar, and what I hope to accomplish.
- I want my children to believe that life is full of wonders.
- I want them to remember and savor the things we see, read, do, and learn.
- I want my children to know that the night sky is so full of stars, that it is dizzying--even if we can't see them anymore.
- I want them to see the miracle in the ordinary--and hold fast to it.
The other day I read The Best Advice You'll Ever Receive, and afterward I thought about my life, and the plans I've made, and where I am now. Let me tell you: I'm way off course! Fifteen years ago if you had asked me where I would be today, I would not have answered, "I'll be living in Massachusetts, have five children, homeschool--oh, and I'll be Catholic." Hah! I would have laughed with disbelief if someone had even suggested these things. The path my life has taken has astonished me (and many of my loved ones :- ) All I can say is, I'm so glad. I wouldn't have it any other way.
My plans and expectations were not a good compass.
This week, as I give thought to the next few weeks of my children's learning, I'm going to keep all of this in mind. I'm going to resist my natural tendency to over plan (and then fail to execute, and be disappointed). Instead, I'm going to focus on inspiring my kids to be astonished and open to wonder.