A Promise Kept

At the end of last school year, a family meeting had been held in which all options for the upcoming year in regards to schooling and the children were reviewed and discussed (this meeting is an annual-type–because, let’s face it, things change. What works and works well for one year may not for the next).

“I want to stay being homeschooled,” said one–that one being Jacob, who from his vast experience with homeschooling the previous year had already decided it was the life for him. And why not? Is there anything better than pajama-wearing, book-reading, fort-building adventures for a ten-year-old boy? I think not.

But what to do with Hannah? She had been going to private school for the past four years, a place she loved and was loved in return. ‘Well, why not just send her back there?’ you are asking, and they would, oh, trust me, the Farmer and his Wife surely would, but you see, Hannah was going into the ninth grade, and that school, so beloved, only goes to eighth.

Which meant a new school for Hannah.

Normally, that would be fine. Normally, there would be a bus which drives by the Farm, which would take Hannah to a new school where Hannah, ever so full of friendships-to-be would begin again.

But this year is not normal (as all of us know). There would be no bus, no school, no friends. “You must stay home,” Those in Charge had said. “It is not SAFE to go to school.”

“Well, they are the ones who said it!” the Farmer’s Wife exclaimed to a forlorn Hannah, whose eyes dimmed at the prospect.

Seeing this, the Farmer’s Wife made a promise. And what was that promise, you might ask?

She promised Fun.

“There will be such fun to be had, just you wait and see!”

And so the school year had begun on the Farm. And Fun had been planned, but each time it had, Those In Charge said, “No! you cannot do that–it is not SAFE1”

Trips to Kentucky were cancelled (that Ark and those Caves would have to wait), and a trip to Ohio postponed (Jacob would not get to see the airplanes this year). The Glass museum. The Pumpkin Patch. Visiting Mikaela at College.

Each and every one.

The Farmer’s Wife was getting desperate, she had a promise to keep, after all. Because, as you yourselves know, it really had nothing to do with Fun at all, but Life. Real Life. A Life Worth Living.

“Why not Pennsylvania?” Aunt Willow asked. “It’s allowed, and there’s lots to do there.”

Thoughts (not plans) were made. Itineraries considered. The News consulted, to see if perhaps this would be allowed.

The week of the hoped-for Fun came. Those in Charge shook their heads, “Now, I know I said Pennsylvania is allowed, but I’m changing my mind. Fun is not SAFE!”

Hannah’s head drooped. Her face lifeless.

They prayed.

Those in Charge came back on the News saying a bunch of neverminds and what-nots. Pennsylvania would still be allowed.

Real Plans were made, the kinds that involve credit cards and reservations and no-refund-policies. Bags were packed.

And last Thursday they went, and yes, they had Fun, Hannah most of all.

(More on that next week.)

Life Lesson: Real Life is worth the risk.