Have you ever had one of those weeks where almost everything you encounter just moves you? From the obvious moments like when your child smiles at you just before giving you a huge embrace to the normally insignificant things like when you watch a person in one car allow another person to enter the horrific traffic before him. Listening to the birds chatter while you sit on your porch drinking quality coffee because you felt you were worth the splurge. Watching your cat and rabbit play chase then snuggle. Spending time with good friends who refresh your soul like a tall glass of ice cold lemonade on a hot summer day after mowing the lawn. Smelling the fresh mown lawn after a passing rain shower. Reading beautiful quotes and finding new authors whose works you're excited to read. I could go on.
I'm having one of those weeks where it feels like the Universe is smiling at me, holding me and letting me know it's all going to be just fine. It's exactly what I need and I'm overwhelmingly grateful.
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Making your heart sing
I once had a friend ask me, "What makes your heart sing? Whatever it is, that's what you should do." I have spent the last few months of sober living carefully pondering that question. What makes my heart sing? What makes me feel joy more often than not, makes me feel glad to be alive, is my sunshine on an otherwise cloudy day? What am I most passionate about?
The answer is my son. Not in an obsessive, co-dependent way. I don't live my life solely for my son or through my son (trust me, Pokemon would not be my choice for games to play) but being his mother is the best experience I've ever had. I regularly feel humbled and blessed by and incredibly grateful for his presence in my life. Being a mom, his mom, makes my heart sing. And this is why we've decided together to give homeschooling a shot this year.
I've tried to think of a succinct answer to the inevitable question of "why?" Why am I making this choice? I'm not unhappy with the school system. He had a great kindergarten teacher and made some lovely friends, friends with whom we'll remain in touch, I'm sure. So why? If his experience wasn't overall bad why would I decide to homeschool now?
I've done a lot of reading on the topic and one of the reasons others have given truly resonates with me. I don't want to miss anything. I brought my son into the world with intention. I made a very conscious choice to raise him, guide him, teach him and, when the time is right, let go and watch him tackle the world all on his own. Perhaps it sounds selfish but I want to be the one to share those precious moments of education with him. I want to share this journey with him, guide him and help him find where he can work out his own answers. We will only have this time once and to say it is fleeting is an understatement. I truly believe it takes a village to raise a child, but I also believe I should have more active say in which villagers get to participate.
Just thinking about homeschooling excites me, and Doran is also enthusiastic at being able to learn what he wants, when he wants and how he wants (within reason, of course). We'll officially start in September, so wish us luck as we start this new adventure!
The answer is my son. Not in an obsessive, co-dependent way. I don't live my life solely for my son or through my son (trust me, Pokemon would not be my choice for games to play) but being his mother is the best experience I've ever had. I regularly feel humbled and blessed by and incredibly grateful for his presence in my life. Being a mom, his mom, makes my heart sing. And this is why we've decided together to give homeschooling a shot this year.
I've tried to think of a succinct answer to the inevitable question of "why?" Why am I making this choice? I'm not unhappy with the school system. He had a great kindergarten teacher and made some lovely friends, friends with whom we'll remain in touch, I'm sure. So why? If his experience wasn't overall bad why would I decide to homeschool now?
I've done a lot of reading on the topic and one of the reasons others have given truly resonates with me. I don't want to miss anything. I brought my son into the world with intention. I made a very conscious choice to raise him, guide him, teach him and, when the time is right, let go and watch him tackle the world all on his own. Perhaps it sounds selfish but I want to be the one to share those precious moments of education with him. I want to share this journey with him, guide him and help him find where he can work out his own answers. We will only have this time once and to say it is fleeting is an understatement. I truly believe it takes a village to raise a child, but I also believe I should have more active say in which villagers get to participate.
Just thinking about homeschooling excites me, and Doran is also enthusiastic at being able to learn what he wants, when he wants and how he wants (within reason, of course). We'll officially start in September, so wish us luck as we start this new adventure!
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