May 30, 2016 Bonnie Lauer's Speech at Her Daughter's Graduation
Day 150
(The following is a speech Bonnie Lauer (you all know her!) gave at Mary's, her youngest daughter, graduation. I asked her for a copy because I knew you would enjoy it. She is so articulate and delivered it so well. We need to read more of her writings and hear more of her speeches. She has been a homeschool comrade, partner in crime, with the rest of us homeschool mavericks. We have been doing this for over twenty years and we know that homeschool is not the panacea, it is not the end all be all. But we have done it because we really enjoy spending time with our children. We are not looking for a yellow bus come September, maybe February, but never September. So if you want to know more about homeschooling, Bonnie knows the homeschool world and would be a great advocate. Enjoy)
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(Following written by Bonnie Lauer)
This is a special day for our families. We share a special connection that began with meeting in preschool and extends through today. Both of us are graduating our youngest child and ending our homeschooling experience. Interestingly, both our families began homeschooling our oldest at the same time and they both graduated together in 2007. The first and now the last.
It won’t end here though. As each of our families grew, so did our bonds. Like a tapestry, the lives of myself, John, Kelly and Matt became woven together through the lives of all our children. Bridget and Mark, and then Colin, all three part of the same circle of friends; Erin and Luke bonded over fights about their respective pacifiers and now, having worked out those difference, remain good friends; Patrick, Maggie and Eve, and then John and Mary, endured play groups, field trips, play practices, and social events as the little siblings of the older homeschoolers but soon became friends attending semi-formals, carpools, trick-or-treating, parties, lifeguard training and, of course, play practices of their own. Each of them will follow their own path but will remain connected to one another, whether through memories of growing up together or occasional sightings when they return to familiar neighborhood gatherings or with regular meet-ups, phone calls and texts.
And here we are now at John and Mary’s graduation. Kelly and I, and to some extent Matt and John, now find ourselves out of a job, or retired. But as homeschoolers, we have had a different experience than other parents when it comes to education. We were an active part of our children’s education. We planned, prepared and implemented a lot of it. We oversaw, investigated options and participated in it. We recorded info in logs, filled portfolios, and filed paperwork for the evaluator and the school district. After all these years, I know I am glad to be done with that, and I am sure Kelly is too. It was often difficult, frustrating, confusing and tiring because you know it was more than just teaching. It is also parenting, house keeping, food prep and errands, along with keeping track of everyone’s schedules, running someone to a class or appointment, pregnancies and toddlers, illnesses, and various commitments in the community all the while having every one of the children with you while doing these things!
But I want to say that I cannot imagine doing anything more rewarding than what I have been doing the past twenty years. I am so grateful for this journey we have taken together as a family, as part of the learning group, and as friends that will always be strands of the tapestry of this homeschooling life. Let me share just how this experience enriched all our lives.
Home schooling has not just educated my children, but has developed adults who have inquiring minds. They are curious, creative, questioning and open minded to experiences, ideas, people.They have been able to interact and connect with and be a part of so many varied people, places and ways of learning.
Home schooling has grown siblings who really know and love each other. Being at home for school the oldest saw the younger ones grow up. The younger ones were a part of the big kids lives. Outings, vacations, births, and sicknesses were for everyone. Now they enjoy being together, they want to know what is going on with each other, and are there for each other when needed.
Home schooling has developed a sense that our home is a place where life happens -- the good, the bad, the necessary and the serendipitous. Others become part of the family when they are here. It is a place to welcome, to worship, to shelter, to learn, to grow, to serve, to renew and to belong.
Home schooling has been a way to live as disciples of Christ, learning and growing together. We also had the opportunity to live as a witness to our faith for each other and and those we encounter, intentionally or as life is lived. We have been able to have this interwoven in all areas of living, day by day. God is present and faithful in the daily and ordinary, as well as the extraordinary.
And finally, home schooling has taught me more than anyone. Parenting has a way of doing that, but the homeschooling life adds other lessons I think I may have missed otherwise. And since I can be hard to train, I got six different experiences to learn from with my six children! I’ve learned way too much to name now but one important thing is this - We will learn what we need to know when we are open and ready to understand. And this is a never ending process as we go through life.
So while lots of people ask me if I am sad over my last graduation, I can honestly say “no” because the things that I’ve mentioned are the things that will not ever end. And, they are the things that are the most important and valuable aspect of not just our homeschooling journey, but of life. Mary created a Community Homeschool Learning Group logo a number of years ago in a graphic design art class. It is a tree with roots and branches. Relationships, faith, community, growth and wisdom are the roots that have been developed and fed, allowing a strong trunk to form that sends out branches - the crown of the tree and each are unique. Sometimes the growth is vigorous and at other times barely noticeable. But the roots of a homeschooled life go deep and wide and I am confident that it is by God’s grace these rewards are the fruits of our homeschool journey and that they will continue to bless me, my family and you in all our days ahead. Written by Bonnie Lauer
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