The Life of a Home Educated Young Lady

Here is the bio of someone I have grown to love. ss

Here I come world, ready or not,

When I was 18 months old, my Mom tried to get me a part-time job. I was very busy and energetic and she just thought it might help me to have more responsibilities than just taking care of my older brother and my baby sister and, of course, Mom. She says that she knew as soon as I was born that I would be this way, but she didn’t know how long it would take her to be grateful for it.By the time I was 6, I could cook a whole meal, if no one minded what the kitchen looked like in the end. By the time I was 9, I regularly cooked for the whole family and gave copious advice to anyone foolhardy enough to enter the kitchen. Now, in anticipation of my eventual exit from home, I am not even allowed to tell people what to do. Now, there is a challenge!

In addition to my culinary prowess, I was quite athletic and could pull myself and then my brother up onto the washing machine by the time I was two. To empty the washer from this position you need only place your foot down into the barrel. This probably helped me to do well in Field Day competitions. I could do more pull ups and sit ups faster than anyone in my age group. It must have been good for my endurance, too, because I remember the last time I attended Field Day, I ran the mile three times trying to better my time.

I think my biggest challenge has been my dyslexia coupled with mild hearing loss. I had no idea, for many years, that I was having a difficult time learning to read and that I was not hearing words well enough to “sound them out.” Of course my Mom and Dad knew and I got special reading lessons from Ms. Vivien. (Thanks, I love you!) But it seems strange to me that some people learn to read so easily and yet can’t make dinner for 12 at the drop of a hat!

I love my family, and sometimes it is hard not to leap in and try to fix the little guys ways of doing things. My parents keep saying, “M., you are not always going to be around. You need to let the little ones grow up.” I really understand this, if only vaguely. I try to keep busy by doing my school work, working two jobs and going to the gym.

Lu., you mean more to me than you will ever know. We may not be attached at the hip any longer, but I am glad we once were.

Mom and Dad, thanks for all your support. You may be “out there, ” but that is what I love about you.

J1, Ice, J9 and too many little girls to mention, I love you and I promise that I will always be there to tell you what to do.

End Bio.

We all like to say “Homeschoolers are (this virtue) or (that vice), but there is really no such thing as the typical homeschooler, anymore than those who have been group educated. I have many dear friends from both groups who are coming upon their graduation. I can’t wait to see them change the world. God Bless you all.