Freedom

I've been thinking about this poem all day:

Refugee in America
There are words like Freedom
Sweet and wonderful to say.
On my heart-strings freedom sings
All day every day.

There are words like Liberty
That almost make me cry.
If you had known what I knew
You would know why.

--Langston Hughes


Various thoughts flooded my mind as I read this.

Sad thoughts that the Freedom and Liberty he found in America often seem to be in jeopardy.

Indescribable thoughts of how this relates to my life as a follower of Christ. Even though my freedoms seem threatened at times, the freedom and liberty that are mine in Christ can never be taken away. I have a hope and a future.

Finally, as we are about to begin another year of homeschool, I can't help but relate these thoughts of freedom and liberty to the beauty found in Charlotte Mason's Methods (to learn more specifics, click here, here, or here).

I went to public school. For me, this was not such a bad experience as some have; yet, there are still things I will never forget and wish for my children to learn in a different way. Still, even in the home setting, a family could make "school" still too much like "school" with rigid structure and cold atmosphere and mind numbing books. I recently got to see in real life some of those homeschool curriculums of which I've heard stories. It made me feel stressed just looking at these huge stacks of textbooks.  I've also been making a big effort to once again purge our home of "twaddle" (Mason's word to describe books with oversimplified language which has the end result of shutting down the mind's creative thinking process).

Mason's methods and principles have brought so much life into our home. Our minds are nourished and challenged with ideas. My whole family ends up being fed a feast from which each fills his plate with the nourishment needed. It truly is a living education, and more than that, it is a way to live.  Charlotte's method may have seemed "new" in her day and often seem "new" compared to many of today's methods of education, however, the Solomon tells us that there is nothing new under the sun (Eccles. 1:9-10). And the more I think of it, many of her methods of teaching reflect the way that Jesus taught his disciples and interacted with those He met.
            
          He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).
          He came that we could enjoy abundant life (John 10:10).
          For freedom, Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1)

I'm so thankful that the Lord has led our family to this beautiful method of learning and living. Maybe you are interested in Mason's method; if so, I encourage you to dive in and research it. However, maybe you rejoice in the curriculum your family has found, if so, then I rejoice with you. I think because I've felt burdened by the yoke of slavery under the curriculums and methods that other families hold in high esteem, I understand and am extremely grateful for the fact that the Lord leads each family to what is right for them. I am so thankful for the freedom we have to choose differently! For me and my family, this method brings abundant life and joy and freedom. Why wouldn't I use it? :)  And again, Langston's words ring in my mind, "If you had known what I knew, you would know why."

The Blue Bowl

All day I did the little things,
The little things that do not show;
I brought the kindling for the fire
I set the candles in a row,
I filled a bowl with marigolds,
The shallow bowl you love the best--
And made the house a pleasant place
Where weariness might take its rest.

The hours sped on, my eager feet
Could not keep pace with my desire.
So much to do, so little time!
I could not let my body tire;
Yet, when the coming of the night
Blotted the garden from my sight,
And on the narrow, graveled walks
Between the guarding flower stalks
I heard your step: I was not through.

You came into the quiet room
That glowed enchanted with the bloom
Of yellow flame. I saw your face,
Illumined by the firelit space,
Slowly grow still and comforted-
"It's good to be at home," you said.

Blanche Bane Kuder

Doesn't this poem so beautifully describe what it is like to be a wife and mother? I love it! I discovered this poem in a book called Everyday Graces by Karen Santorum. This is a wonderful book for children about manners. Karen has collected poems, short stories and excerpts from books to illustrate different manners to children in a simple and gentle way. 

Here are some other manners books that I've heard are good and would love to add to our collection:

  

Here is the poem that Lucy is currently working on memorizing.

The Cupboard

by Walter de la Mare

I know a little cupboard, 

With a teeny tiny key, 

And there's a jar of Lollypops

For me, me, me.

It has a little shelf, my dear, 

As dark as dark can be, 

And there's a dish of Banbury Cakes

For me, me, me.

I have a small fat grandmamma, 

With a very slippery knee, 

And she's the Keeper of the Cupboard

With the key, key, key. 

And when I'm very good, my dear, 

As good as good can be, 

There's Banbury Cakes, and Lollypops

For me, me, me. 

Isn't that a cute poem? I think I know why she likes it so much...it is almost true. True except for the "fat grandmamma with a slippery knee" and the "key on the cupboard", but she does love going to Grandma who always has treats and candies for her! She once asked me what kind of treats Grandma had in the bowl when I was little and was very surprised to hear that we didn't always have a bowl of treats out when I was little. :)

I LOVE the break in our morning when we casually read a poem! It is so relaxing and refreshing. We all look forward to it. Mayme even has some poem books that she loves to read. (This one and this one.)

We don't analyze or study the poems, we just read them for the pleasure of it. Sometimes though when a particular poem has a really great message, I can't help but commenting on it.

I was delighted this morning when I remembered that I would get to read A.A. Milne's poem books with Jude next year!

This year I am reading through this poem book with Jude (see below), and Lucy is reading through various poems by Walter de la Mare.

What is your favorite part of your school day? Do you have any favorite poems? Perhaps I'll have to share some of our favorite poetry more often.