Computers- I know how to do most of things that I want to do on the computer but if I ever had a problem I knew where to turn. William was always ready to help me out but he would never just do the things I needed. He would tell me, and make me work on it step by step until I got it right! Such a great teacher, right. Guess he learned from the best. What "school" is- As a child I really did not enjoy school. School was a chunk of my day where I was forced to learn what others thought I should learn and graded me on those things. I did not always do well so that cause much stress. William has taught me that school is not something that you can put in a box and just "do". We truly are learning all the time. I have learned to love "school" and I now love to learn new things! Music Appreciation- William listens to a wide variety of music. Some good and some not so good :) He has taught me to be tolerant of his music choices and I have taught him to tolerate mine. We each have found that we agree on some of those selections and noting beats a good 80's music jam session in the car, especially when he uses his cell phone as his mic! Music class on my watch has to include a little of my favorite group of all times, New Kids on the Block. William has learned that his mama has mad skills when it come to rapping and he just LOVES to hear me rap and sing all of my favorite childhood song. (NOT) Yes, music class is always fun! Character- William has taught me not to judge others. He has the biggest heart.
To be believe in my self- When I had no idea if I could continue this journey, he would tell me that I was the best mother ever! He praised me and let me know that homeschooling was the right choice and that we could do this TOGETHER!
"Experts" and well meaning people in society DO NOT KNOW IT ALL- Through out this journey we have been hit with much negativity and advise for EVERY WHERE! William has taught me that at the end of the day NONE of that matters! You must look inside your self and do what is right for YOU! You can not live your life for anyone else. You must make choices that will make you happy and the rest will fall in line.
Just do it- William has taught me to plan less and do more. If you spend all your time planning you never have time to do the things that you want. He has taught me to jump right in and just go for it!
Be a team player- There is a big age gap between William and his sisters, 8 and 10 years, to be exact. Some of the field trips and activities that have taken part in over the years have often been below his level, he never once complained and joined in with a happy heart. This meant a lot to me as his teacher and his sisters will have so many memories of the good times they had learning side by side with him.
Make you own happy- You can not count on others to make you happy, you create your own happiness! Run with that!
As we come to the end of this journey I hope that I have been able to impact William's life in a positive manner. I pray that he will look back on our times together with fond memories and much love. Gone are the days that we would head to the library, curl up on the corner couch and read together all day. We still frequent the library, he just heads for political books and I am often searching for our next unit study topic. I am thankful that he still enjoys being with me and I think that is a great testament of the time that I have invested in his life. Has this been an easy road? By NO MEANS!!! But I can say that it has been worth it all!
Congratulations William. I love you and I am proud of you and your many accomplishments.
