The man who told me to look into homeschooling five years ago, when my firstborn was only one year old, passed away on January 8. He was my father-in-law.
He lived only five minutes away. I saw him almost every week and, of course, for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the kids’ birthdays. He was a constant presence in my life, in other words.
And now, he is no more.
The sadness overwhelmed me to the point where I entered the grieving stage of denial. Almost three weeks later, I have not left denial yet. Denial protects me from hurting. It also helped me make it through the memorial and funeral services.
Denial keeps me strong so I can answer the kids’ questions.
But the fact remains, we homeschool because my father-in-law planted a seed with me. It took several years for it to sprout, but it sprouted.
“You should look into homeschooling him,” my father-in-law said to me five years ago, pointing to my one-year-old who was toddling around us. “I met this lady from Ohio and she said it was the best educational experience for her sons,” he continued.
At the time, I was not ready for it. I actually remember giving him reasons why I would not homeschool. Ha!
I did tell him that homeschooling works well for some people. Double ha!
Over time, God sent me other people who watered that seed. Ultimately, God did the increase. But my father-in-law will always remain the one who planted the seed.
He was proud of his grandchildren. The last time we saw him, at Christmas, my son played his violin for all of us. We will always have that moment.
May he rest in peace.
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