The Yellow Bus
Aug 13th, 2008 by willa
Last night, it seemed like no one was ever going to go to sleep. Some of them were watching the Olympics; Clare and Liam were looking through a Sister Wendy art book; Sean was talking to a friend on the phone, and then even though he went to bed, he couldn’t sleep. Paddy had that exhausted hectic look that little fry get when they are up too late. Then Kieron was awake during the night, apparently dealing with some GI issues that appear to be going through the family, and is now still fast asleep.
Sean and I were up at half past six, so Sean could make sure he was ready for the school bus. He checked his backpack about 30 times, told me how tired he was, and then at slightly after 7 he and Kevin made their way through the woods below our house to the bus stop. Shortly afterwards, Kevin appeared again and said he had just watched a child of his board the yellow bus for the first time in history ;-). It is strange to think that this is simply normal life to many people; that it could very well be our 5 year old that was boarding the bus, not our 15 year old. Very odd to think that in normal American circumstances, all the seven kids would be off at their respective places by this hour. Kevin would be gone, not in his home office, under those typical circumstances. It is just strange to reflect for a moment on what “ordinary life” looks like and how different it might have been.
Nothing so peaceful as a 5 year old who was up at midnight the night before.
Sean and Kevin on a hike during our vacation
2 Responses to “The Yellow Bus”
I bet that was odd. But also probably a lot easier. He’s 15 and knows how to look after himself. And he chose to do this. He’s also big and strong enough to actually carry that backpack :-) I hope it works out well for him.
weird….you know what the anti-spam word is: “school”
I feel for you, friend. Just like last summer……….our emotions are similar, though for different reasons this time. We will have to chat it out. :)
Every time we have a five year old, Marty and I say on the first day of school: Can you imagine??? We are expected to take him (her) and put them on the bus, and just send them off into the world, a baby still. It makes us shudder each time. We can’t do it. I thank God for the opportunity to keep them close every year. And, I am sad I have no more five year olds left to worry over. :(
The one perk to homeschooling that I wasn’t expecting, though it IS obvious……..is how much time we have together……….and the relationships they have with us and with each other. With traditional schooling, there just isn’t enough time for this, not at this level……….for the big kids to get to know their littlest siblings.
I know this perk is disappearing from your 15yo’s life for the moment……….but you have had 15 years of building those relationships……..that can never be taken away. They will still continue to build. And, he is providing opportunities for the family to gather ’round him and celebrate his talents. You will have a temporary new focus…….one that will bring you all together still…….and make for new memories…………..like BAD singing of the National Anthem. :)
Your intentions are in my Rosary novena………..which, Deo Gratias, has been said each of the three days in a row, so far.
Blessings, my friend,