Graduation, again

Our third child has reached that stage of life known as high school graduation. It's a little bit surreal. As a family that homeschools with the philosophy that learning is a life long endeavor, to mark an "ending" of schooling seems odd. This particular form of schooling ends, the learning never does.

And yet, it is good to recognize and celebrate this transition from home and family to continuing the learning in a different setting.

As each child 'graduated,' we have asked family and friends to contribute their thoughts -- memories and bits of advice -- to a book that we have compiled for the graduate.

I am always stunned at the thoughts people share.

As connected as I am with my children, they have lives apart from mine and my influence. This is a good thing.

I am so grateful for the people who have been part of my children's lives. They so often notice and remark upon aspects of the child's personality or gifts that I take for granted. They see it as special, whereas I just see it as *Emily*.

And I love the pieces of advice they share. Sometimes it's something they heard from their own parents. Sometimes it's something they've learned the hard way.

Best of all, so many of the people in my children's lives share their foundation of faith with her. Remember, Emily, you are one of God's children, now and forever. Rembember, Emily, God will help you when you need help and guidance. Remember, Emily, you are baptized. Remember, Emily, you can be a witness of God's love in the world.

Thanks to all who have or will contribute to this book.

Graduating?! What?!

Life is feeling pretty surreal right now. I know it is for a lot of graduating high schoolers like me, but my case is a bit different. The last time I was in your typical classroom environment was in pre-school, and now in a mere two months I'll be in college. Yowza!
My peers and I are at this weird stage where everything in the future is new, exciting, and scary. For me as a home schooler, you can multiply that by a million. I don't want to think about my future, but that's all I end up thinking about. I know I already have certain skills I can use to survive and do well in the world, so I try to stop worrying. (Let's see how that goes, shall we?) I know I have comforting and supportive people around me, though, and I'm definitely not alone in my anxious thoughts.

Some people ask me if I'm going to be part of the local high school commencement ceremony, but the answer is no. I suppose I could process through my livingroom and my mom could hand me a diploma, but I'd rather not. Fanfare and funny hats aren't my thing. I'll just take the party, please.

~~

This last week I've made progress with a few compositions, which is always an exhilerating feeling. What's strange is that I could sit at the piano and play you a multitude of tunes that frequently roll around my brain, but to this day my complete collection of finished works--though they're not as epic as the title may suggest-- comes only to a total of three. I'm kind of new at this whole composing thing, so that's probably why I underestimated the insane amount of time it can take to perfect one measure, let alone an entire piece of music. But I'll keep on truckin'. It's a fun mind-bending type of challenge for me. Some people do Sudoku, I write music. What I'm working on now is a piece for choir, because I'm a choir geek raised by more choir geeks who hang out with other choir geeks, and then another piano thing. That's kind of my big summer priority--to finish something--along with catching up with people before I leave for school.

Exciting times are ahead, without a doubt.

Playing on the floor

It's the last week of our regular school year piano lessons. For something a little fun, I brought out my new toy - er, teaching tool. A giant floor piano.

My students and I are not quite as adept as these players, but we're having fun.

Bob Dylan turns 70

Happy birthday, Bob Dylan!

Because I'm sure you're reading this.

***

I discovered Bob Dylan when I was twelve, after watching Martin Scorsese's documentary, No Direction Home. My mind was kind of blown.

I started to sing and play his songs, and I memorized 17 out of 20 verses of his "It's Alright, Ma, I'm Only Bleedin'" before I thought "When am I ever going to perform this?" and quit. Now I regret it just a bit. I remember on a road trip to Upper Michigan, we picked up on a radio station from an American Indian reservation, and it was playing "Desolation Row."
After about two verses Dad--who dislikes Bob Dylan's music--gave a groan and said, "Is it done yet?"

"There's about 10 more minutes left, Dad."
Then he rolled his eyes and groaned again.

So, whether you love him or hate him, there's no denying the impact he had on music and a whole generation. I don't want to get too maudlin, but I think I would be a very different musician had it not been for the work of Bob Dylan.

If you've got an hour, listen to MPR's documentary on his early days in Minnesota, from Hibbing to the Twin Cities.

Quality and Quantity

Most of the time I feel like I appreciate quality over quantity. Despite this, my brain likes to combine two or more awesome things to see if they can become even more awesome, most of the time in a blinding flurry of excitement. These things include:

Jimi Hendrix on the accordion

M&Ms and pizza

Muppet's version of "Monty Python and the Holy Grail"

My favorite computer games from my younger days, SimGolf and Yukon Trail, which is like Oregon Trail, but more snow and frostbite.
This is where the blinding flurry of excitement comes in, clouding the need for an actual objective. Complete 18 holes of golf without being bit by a rabid sled dog or contracting cholera? It forever stays in the planning stages.

Needless to say, none of these things worked out the way I'd hoped.
I have to keep reminding myself that one All-Powerful Marvel of Awesomeness can look good on paper, but not so much in reality.
So, I'll watch the first Pirates of the Caribbean and pretend the others don't exist. Maybe you'll hear Jimi Hendrix on the accordion again, but for sure I'll keep my M&Ms and pizza separate. Quality, not quantity.

My Way vs. Bob Marley's Way

Things don't go my way sometimes.

Yesterday--a beautiful, warm day-- I went to a place and asked about a summer job, and they said, "We're hiring, but not for the summer." My confidence deflated a bit.

Then this morning I wake up, and am greeted by my brother with, "The dog threw up." Which translates as, "Clean it up." He quickly exits the scene to take the dog for a walk, so I do what I gotta do and find the carpet stain spray stuff in the red bottle.

But then--and I know how cliche this must sound--Three Little Birds came on the radio, and my attitude changed. Every little thing is going to be alright. Doesn't mean that it'll go my way, but that it will be alright.

This is my dad, and this is my dog.
Almost eight years ago, my dad was not at all excited about getting a dog.
But then they became the fastest friends.
I just think it's funny how that happens.
I guess it's a small reminder to stay open to things--you never know who could walk through the door.