Finishing Ninth Grade.
Dear Asher,
You finished ninth grade today and I am so proud of you. It was a rocky start switching to our new online academy, but you settled in, and you finished . . . one week early!
Homeschooling with you all these years has been a joy, Asher. It's a sacrifice for sure, but it has been an absolute joy.
As I look back on your 9th grade year, I can’t help but notice the differences with mine. I went to a private Christian school on Long Island. It was a small school, and my class had maybe 25 kids. I hated that school, Asher. It was 45 minutes from our house and in
Long Island traffic it took forever.
I used to listen to Beethoven's 9th Symphony on my CD Walkman on the way. I tried to pass the time figuring out the harmonies on the "Ode to Joy" parts and memorizing the alto soloist's part. I didn't do music in that school. The music teacher was very creepy, and I didn't get a good feeling about him.
The kids were horrible, Asher. Especially the girls. They made fun of me constantly because I was “fat.” They made phone calls to fat camps on my behalf to "get me help.” I never fit in with the "cool girls,” Christy, Theresa, and Christina. They were so mean to me, Asher. The gym teacher made me feel like a failure because I couldn't do the sit reach; I was so tall, and my joints and bones always hurt!
God, I hated that stupid school. Ninth grade caused me terrible emotional pain. I almost failed Stupid Earth Science, I had few friends, and I was constantly reminded that I was a tall 5'10" girl who loved Beethoven, theater, and classical music.
I was very lonely.
Then I look at your year. You spent the ninth grade safe. Your home, our little classroom with Benny faithfully keeping watch, was safe for you. We worked on breaking your fixed mindset and instilling a growth mindset in you . . . Something I had no comprehension of in 9th grade. You worked at your own pace, finishing early with all A’s + B's. You began writing and recording your own music and excelled in theater. You are kind. You have good friends. You are able to get up, work out, read your Bible, and spend time with Jesus. You don't have to get on a stupid bus in traffic with a mean bus driver named Maggie.
But I digress...
I'm so grateful for the opportunity to homeschool with you, Asher. When you have kids, I encourage you to take the same path. I’d encourage you to not send them to public school, but you & your wife raise them& teach them.
You always joke with me and say, "Momma, you can homeschool my kids. "I'd be honored, buddy.
I am really proud of you, and so grateful you finished ninth grade.