So Not My Idea

There I was minding my own business listening to a friend share about the school her son would attend in the fall. Little did I know this innocent conversation would change my life.

Afterwards Anna (age 17), my quietest child, went online and looked up the school and asked if she could go there.

In the interest of having an open mind, I researched the school and agreed that yes, it was a great place. But I couldn't get past the word, "Boarding School."

Anna, my most easy-going child, was politely and respectfully persistent.

Anna has been homeschooled from the get go so I never had to do those tearful, heart-wrenching good-byes when children go off to kindergarten. With the oldest four graduated, my homeschool load had lightened substantially and it wasn't such a hard job anymore.

I said ,"No." If I didn't want to send her to a public school, why would I want to send her to boarding school? I half kiddingly growled at the friend who mentioned the school in the first place and told her, "Thanks a lot."

We visited the school last May and asked lots of questions and her Dad told her, "Yes." Aagh!!! I told him I wouldn't fight him on the issue but I wasn't happy about it.

On August 20, Anna, my cautious, timid child, began her semester at Conserve School in Land O'Lakes, Wisconsin.

I talked myself through the angst. Some parents have children serving their country in Afghanistan or Iraq. She's only two hours away.  Some parents have children in jail. Some parents don't know where their kids are. I really am blessed with a good kid who hasn't ever given me any trouble. With lots of prayer, comfort food, and phone calls, I could probably make it through a semester.

Conserve is a private semester High School, funded by an endowment from a deceased philanthropist.  The school focuses on environmental stewardship and hands-on outdoor study. It's located on a beautiful 1,200 acre piece of heaven in Northeast Wisconsin. The facilities are amazing and it truly is a great place to learn.

But I miss having her home.

I wondered how a sweet, quiet, shy, cautious, reserved person would do away from her big family for four months. She seems to be doing just fine.

 

 

 

 

 

We're all slightly jealous of the fun things she gets to do, but we've forgiven her for leaving us and look forward to her return. Five weeks down, nine more to go.