I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
– Robert Frost, The Road Not Taken
Every now and then, when I need a little boost, I pull out this old essay and re-read it. It was sent to me by a fellow homeschool mom and written as a comment on someone’s blog back in 2005. I doubt the host is still blogging by now, and who knows, really, who “The Shark” is. I imagine him as a homeschool dad or homeschooled graduate. I would hope my children have nice things like this to say of me when they are all graduated.
I hate to add very much to what he said, because he said it perfectly. Trust me, you are going to want to print it out and tack it to the refrigerator. It is a great note of encouragement and a vivid reminder of why this way of life is worthwhile.
It would seem that our mundane routines, unfinished projects, endless chores, lack of finances for even the simplest luxuries, and mountains of paperwork are signs that we are not accomplishing much. I know that it is easy to wonder if you’ll ever see fruit as you tend your little homeschool family tree year after year…
It is refreshing to hear a kind word now and then from someone who has considered our task objectively. We have enough opposition to face (sometimes from our own family).
Just remember if you are a homeschool mom… you are blazing a new trail. Don’t worry if it gets dirty and dusty. That’s just a sign you are making progress. Send this post to another homeschool mom today and cheer her on.
May we not forget the pioneers who went before us and may God lead us every step of the way.
To Some Fair Lady
The life of the college professor is not too bad. Everything you do is interesting. You work with fascinating people and get paid to think about things you love. Your work is play. On top of it, people take what you say too seriously. We educate, and that is important, but we receive our reward.
There is another sort of educator. She, and they are mostly the fair sex, works in much tougher conditions. She loves her students. Every day this teacher works to prepare lesson plans and interesting discussions. Her students seldom thank her and often take her for granted. The mainstream media stereotypes her when it is not ignoring her.
And yet if Western civilization is to be saved, she is on the front lines. Her school has not and never will bow to the state. Her educational program suits the needs of her students and she innovates where others imitate. An entire industry was created to meet her needs. Her students are not driven by the latest educational fad and are not taught that peers are the last word.
The state spends billions to fail to do what she does with her tears and the perfume of her sacrificed wealth.
In the crisis of relativism, she has sided with the Absolutes.
In the age of narcissism, she has given up much to serve.
She is the kitchen table Socrates, the genius of the home made lab, and the last pioneer in the one room school house.
Someone should thank these mothers who school at home. They are analyzed, probed, and discussed. America should stop and just be thankful.
God help us if they grow discouraged. God save us if they grow tired of our ignorance and abandon their post. If the hand that rocks the cradle once ruled the world, these hard working hands that are creating an alternate culture may save it.
If you can find a homeschool mother, thank her.
posted by The Shark
Hi! If you’re going through something now, please be strong. WE are mothers, we are born to be strong at all times and are born to be fighters for our little ones.
I had tears in my eyes reading this! We have all given up so much and are taken for granted so often, there comes a point we do start believing the lie! Thanks for sharing this!