Thunderstorms

The first thunderstorms of spring are coming. How exciting! We enjoy sitting on the front porch during storms.  Between the tree-lined streets in our subdivision and my eight million windchimes, it's easy to appreciate an impressive wind.  And, since it's a covered porch, I feel moderately protected from the lightning.  Frankly, I only feel moderately protected in my house.  After a couple of lightning strikes, (one of which was quite severe), I don't feel any more or less in harm's way on my porch; in fact I find it more secure than our metal sunroom! (Ever sit in one of THOSE during a bad storm????)

Summer storms are even more impressive, and thinking of them subsequently made me think more about summer...

Summer vacation was liberation to us as kids. School was out.  And, until we were old enough to have summer jobs, (which is quite young in a shore town with a boardwalk!), we had zero responsibility. Of course, we weren't old enough and didn't have the life experiences to properly relish it as we should have.  (Ever think that life goes backwards?????)

So what about homeschoolers?  We have the freedom to begin and end our academic year at any time we wish.  And unschoolers, well, they never even really have to do much to change their lifestyle.  Still wondering which path to choose. 

Next month, my girls turn 4 and 5.  They are literally still in the springtime of their lives.  I think I'll spend this summer relishing in THAT!

On the flip-side, I must also relish my son's presence; he is entering the summertime of his life...this is his last summer without a part-time job.  Since he is in school, his break is pretedermined.  For this summer, we have a lot planned for the whole family, beginning with a cruise the day after school lets out.

So, I suppose, that I have time to think about the structure of an academic year, or the sheer freedom of an unschooling year.  I have a little longer to figure out just where we belong.  Because this spring and summer, in the here and now, I want to enjoy my children for who they are and for WHERE they are - right here with me.  I am so very blessed!