| Since Kristin started with Commonwealth Connections Academy 4 weeks ago, she has spent all but about two of those weekdays doing 12 hrs.~ or more ~ of schoolwork. Plus at least 8 every weekend. Her grades are good (which always gets pointed out to me when I call or email a teacher, wondering if this really is normal or do we have the problem it feels like we have). We are talking nearly 70 hrs of work each week...for a 14 yr old. Anyway, so yesterday was an especially difficult day. Kristin's work included 3 portfolio assignments. Portfolio assignments almost always mean "more work (time!) than usual". At 8 pm she finished the second assignment. An email from her PE teacher gave us a breather as far as the 3rd assignment, (it has to be finished before the end of the semester for credit) but she still had 3 more subjects due to be completed on 10/1. So she sighed and plugged on! When it gets so late with her schoolwork, I put the boys to bed and she keeps working. As we were kneeling for prayer at bedtime, we were talking about people to pray for. I mentioned "Pap", who is sick w/ Lyme's, and Janet, who has a bad heart and recent knee surgery. Timmy pipes up with, "Grandpa!". I sorta looked at him, thinking, "Didn't I just mention Pap?" Before I could clarify anything, he says, "Oh yeah, he's dead!" That clarified which one! Now seriously, I'm not making light of my father's death, but it just struck us all as funny. My children and I were kneeling there, laughing until we had tears. I can't describe how good, how cleansing, it felt to really laugh! In the daily struggle of "competing priorities" (Thanks, Willie!), I'd like to think I'm not unpleasant, but I am always challenged to look for funny things in our day. What a treat when it "happens"! |
