Take a Walk
Today was a beautiful day! It’s starting to feel like the summer is truly over and the school year is in full swing. My daughter took a few breaks to enjoy the wind and sunshine as she usually does. After lunch, she came up to me wind-blown and excited and asked if we could all take a walk to the town cemetery for some fresh air. It’s about a 15 minute walk; shorter by bike. We had a crazy busy afternoon ahead, but this walk seemed to still fit. I knew we would all really enjoy it. And we did!
The older two took their bikes ahead of my youngest and myself. I grabbed a few number flashcards and a literature book to ‘do some school’ when we got there. I love the freedom of changing up my day or my plans in our homeschool. Instead of a numbers lesson at the kitchen table for my kindergartener, I chose to bring along the cards and have some quizzes in the shade of a great old pine tree at the cemetery. We even made ‘plus’ and ‘equals’ signs out of tree branch pieces to illustrate “5+1=6” with the cards. He’s such a pro at his numbers 1-100, that he’s far ahead of the curriculum I have for him. So, I adapt! I change it up, and I fit the lesson plans to his needs. Math with twigs; a fabulous nature study indeed!
As we arrived at the cemetery, the kids noticed our house across the field! “We can see our house from here!” they announced. They then began to read the tombstones, noticing names, ages, years, and families. Some read, “Mother,” “Father.” Others had names or military rankings. My youngest found his name in big capital letters on one grave. He was very exited to find HIS name! We took in the beauty of the day and the time together.
We made the walk home and continued on our day.
I’m so thankful we took a walk today. How many times am I just too busy to stop and even notice the beautiful weather? I hope you can take a walk on a beautiful day. Do you ever do it?
Now, I did wonder what people might think to see my kids “out of school.” I still can’t help but think it. The thought is getting smaller as I become more confident in my homeschooling. But the thought is still there. We homeschoolers really don’t want any trouble from the outside. We don’t want to parade our homeschooling either. I know we don’t. These are thoughts we have because the world around us can be a cruel place and we know it.
Let’s not let these thoughts or fears stop us. Take the opportunities for a walk or an outing. Do it! You will be SO glad that you did! In fact, I hope people see your family walking. I hope they see the freedom you are enjoying before them. Let us walk. Our walk is a testimony. It is a light for Christ. Be that light!
Do you take walks in the middle of the day? What ways do you change things up a bit in your homeschool? Please comment below. I would love to hear from you!
Keep walking friend,
Christina
