I grew up on the East Coast by the ocean. Although it’s been years since I’ve been back, and I rarely make trips to the ocean on this side of the country, I absolutely love it: the waves, the mist in the air, the sound. Like so many, I go through my everyday life and rarely take the time to look back on the time when I was a child. 

Today, as I looked out onto the lake I currently live on, which is normally so calm and tepid but now a fierce turbulence of waves, I was brought back to my childhood. It reminded me of the ocean. Memories splashed over me like the waves coming from the lake. I remembered experiences and feelings from the age my children are now. Certain key points of my life, nearly 40 years later, form the person I am. 

I took this into perspective and it made me realize how LUCKY I am to spend these years homeschooling my young children. The experiences I am providing to them will still define who they are many years from now along with their understanding of life. My patience and love and my ability to brighten their day bond us together. Instead of passing this incredible experience on, every school day will be memories we share that they will reflect on when they are adults.

When I get frustrated and when I feel like I’ve taken on too much and feel that maybe I’m not doing a good job as a learning coach, I want to remember what I am giving to my children. These are the thoughts I want to hold onto to inspire me and affirm my choices and path in homeschooling. I want them to remember the waves—the excitement of being on the edge of the lake with the crazy wind while water splashed them. I want them to look back and remember that I was there with them as they learned about the world and grew. I am so grateful for this opportunity to be by their side on this homeschool journey.