The Flow of Life

I spent a day this week with students walking the paths and seeing the Falls in Yosemite. A place we have traveled to many times since our move, yet a place that never looks quite the same. The Falls are flowing full force as the snowfall is melting and the show it makes as it flows in Yosemite is always spectacular but at this time of year it is beyond. A good time to travel up to stand and be filled with awe. This is a time to realize just how small we really are no matter how big it can all seem at times. The speed of life can get out of control it seems and it is hard to remember to breath. This is how it seems these last several weeks. Too many decisions, too many errands, changes in life, unable to slow it all down or even turn back the clock and watch as the children climb the apple trees. Having chosen to homeschool our children was probably one of the best choices Wayne and I made. For us, it was a time to allow our children to grow and learn and see it all right before our eyes. It was also a time to make sure if there were questions and ideas, they were explored. It was not something everybody we knew was thrilled with, yet we felt it was best not just for our children but for our family and eventually for our community and world. To allow these two beautiful children to learn how to teach themselves, gave them the chance to explore, build their confidences, question basically everything and realize that we did not know everything but we were just as excited to find the answers or theories that were already explored and those we created ourselves, or so we thought. I do not remember a time we ever questioned if they would not learn enough. I do remember wondering if we would all get along well, spending so much time togethor. What a shock to see how close we grew. As my son was lying on the couch today after his return from Grad nite at Disneyland and reliving all the fun, I turned and asked my daughter why she kept smiling. "Because he's my brother.", was her response. We spent so many years togethor learning, playing, traveling the roads to lessons and games and we became closer than I ever could have imagined. Life has flowed on and as I crawled out of bed this morning I realized that I did not have to wake my son for school and would not ever again do this simple task. For the next two years, I would have my daughter to wake and then there would be a morning like this when I would realize that now I would never have to call to her to wake and prepare for school. But life flows on and it is beautiful as were the Falls I experienced this week. There will be new surprises waiting for me as there was while driving the road into Yosemite and I began squealing with delight as a bear was walking among the trees beside me. This brought laughter and pure excitement from my Spec. Ed students as first they were excited to see Miss Sharon so excited and they were excited to see a bear for their first time outside of a zoo or a tv screen. There will be questions and theories to explore with my grown children and the new ideas they come across as they are off studying or with students as we work at bringing them yet one step closer to an independent lifestyle. Life will flow as the Falls I stood and watched, sometimes strong and powerful as they run now and sometimes life will run calmly as these same Falls will trickle late this summer. Among it all, I will breath and smile as I watch my son later this week recieve his diploma or as I did this week as I stood at the base of Yosemite Falls with a wheelchair bound student as he squealed with delight as this powerful and very cold sensation covered us with the spray of the Fall. I am thankful for the years we spent homeschooling and the times my daughter climbed the tree with yet another book to read among the branches, her favorite type of school desk. I am thankful for the drumming my son filled our home with as he learned from amazing teachers. I am hopeful that all these two young children took the time to teach me over the years will go with me as I work with new students and find ways to explore their questions. I hope to breath through the moments, the weeks, and the years to come and try to learn from all the teachers I pass, the trees, the children, friends, the clouds, my gardens, the continual music that fills our home. May the Falls each time I travel to Yosemite remind me of all the unanswered questions I have explored and those that are waiting to cross my path. May they remind me to breath as life flows and at times rushes by. Blessings-

Garden Surprises

As I walked the gardens one evening this week, I was quite surprsed to find this amazing bee enjoying our passion vine. Never have I seen a bee that was truly golden! This little creature is not so little as it is the size if not a bit larger than our black carpenter bees which measure in at 1.5". I spent much time watching it and snapping pictures of it and was amazed at how close it would allow me to get. At first, it was a bit shy but soon, it realized I was not going to harm it, and then it allowed me to get my lense within an inch or two of it to snap some shots. We spend so much of our home time walking the gardens, watering plants, and enjoying yet another batch of Morning Doves. It is always quite a surprise however when you run across something new and this was just that. I have spent quite a bit of time trying to find just what type of bee this little one is, and as of yet I cannot find any info on him. So, for now I will just enjoy his beauty.

Prom Night

Asking is always the worst, isn't it? But once it is over and they have said "yes", the planning and excitement all begin! Having a daughter and a son going off to prom is quite an experience. Two seperate proms. Two different personalities. Opposite sexes. Could they be any more different in their approaches. What fun to be a teen and heading off to the biggest night of the year. Dresses and tuxes to find. Makeup, manicure, hair, shoes, and a clutch later, we realize that the guys have it easy with just one stop at a tux shop. Then of course the excitement of waiting for that day to arrive. Two seperate proms at seperate locations but of course they fell on the same night so we were twice as busy trying to prepare. Schedules, transportation, and plans for after prom had to be figured out and coordinated so parents knew where each child would be. But finally the day arrives with Bry heading off early for entrance exams for college courses and Brit off to have her manicure and pedicure done. Hours later they meet back at home to prepare with Brit doing hair, makeup, etc. while Bry prepared lying on his back sound asleep for a few hours. They both arrived dressed and gorgeous as it was announced that it was time for pictures before Brit's date arrived and Bry headed off to meet up with his. Yes, you guessed it, as happens so often these days, my tears began. They have grown and matured and have become such beautiful young people who not only clean up well but have worked hard to achive so much these last several years. With our huge move just over a year ago, I wondered if they would make it and once again be happy. Would they find friends? Would they fit in? All the fears of a mother and yet they have grown and blossomed beautifully. They have made wonderful friends and have become stronger in their beliefs and convictions. These two young people have accomplished so much and it has been a delight to be near by to watch them grow. The reports of Prom were wonderful! Each had fun and the nights seem to have been a success. Stories enough to fill my Mothers Day once they both awake and what better way could I spend Mothers Day but with these amazing two children, listening to all their stories! Happy Mothers Day to all you amazing mothers!