One day as we were learning together in our school room, Madge cared for Caleb. Caring for him is something she does every day. These are the real learning days. Lessons that go far beyond the books. I love these moments, which remind me to s.l.o.w. down, swallow the goodness of our little children, and allow them to live as siblings who are forming lifetime connections, socializing with one another: the best socialization they could possibly receive. A socialization that is built by learning how to love, forgive, work out differences, rejoice in good times and to get along because of the good souls each one of us was created with by our Creator, in whose image and likeness we are made. I love these moments, because they are the foundations on which all other life experiences are built. And, if they are not built at home, where else will they be built? For, I know that no one else will ever love these little treasures--our children-- like we will, nor will any one else ever take the time to walk them through life steps as we should. God blessed us with these precious, and specific lives. It is hard work. But oh so worth it.
There is a last sentence in Elizabeth's Foss's book, that I love, because it is something that we strive for here in our home where education is not an entity, but our lifestyle. She speaks about a situation with her oldest child that is similar to the one I described with Maddy. It is a lesson of love and compassion between siblings. For our family, school, education, learning is our atmosphere, our discipline, and our life. Charlotte Mason and Elizabeth Foss speak more about this and so nicely explain what that means. At the very least, it is our desire to live what we are learning and to give it back to one another, and then the world.
Yesterday, as I snuggled Pita and then Caleb, sometimes simultaneously, Maddy helped too. This is real life. At one point, Madge had empty arms. (She had just been snuggling Peach and telling me how we could switch once I got Caleb settled.) Then, she walked up to me and said, "Now, who can I hold Mom?" Yes, these are the life moments. These are the lessons. Put them together. We are building life lessons in the days we live...together.
