As the school year ends

Of course with the end of the school year comes all the performances.

Isaac took piano from an accomplished teenager we know.  I loved the arrangement. She worked great with him and in the process was earning money using one of her talents and learning more about running a business, a great skill to learn in your youth.

Isaac adored her and really blossomed under her instruction.  He can be heard playing at the piano quit often and is now giving his little sister lessons.

Serenitie took what is most likely her last Shakespeare class. There is just not much that the class can offer her.  After three years she has read all of his works at least a couple of times, is very familiar with the language, plots, characters, etc.  She would like to learn more but there isn’t a lot of opportunity to go deeper than she already has.  Most classes offered are more along intro or beginning Shakespeare courses. Looks like she may have to be self taught for the rest of that subject.

They performed “midsummer night dream”  and she played the character of Lysander.

As always, it was an amazing performance. It is so refreshing and inspirational to see a full script Shakespeare play done by youth.  It restores my confidence in the youth of this generation in a unique way.  So often we see teenagers that aren’t amounting to much because they aren’t trying or because they don’t have to since it is not expected of them.  Yet, here you have enthusiastic teenagers who are excited about Shakespeare of all things, and who can perform his work just as well if not better than some adults in a play where the script has not been “dumed down” for them.

Michael had a chance to fill in as a fairy and did  a  great job. After years of learning and being mentored by his sister, he is ready to take classes and is pretty excited about it.

I was also really impressed with Seri’s YW leader who came to one of the performances with her husband.  We always invite friends, but here in our community  going to other people’s performances is just not something that is done all that often.  We are so busy in our own lives that additional activities of this sort are not a priority. 

How my heart gladdened when I saw that this woman had made a special effort just for my daughter. (The play was held in Tacoma about 1/2 an hr away).  I told her that it was really nice to see her there and she responded that of course she would come, she wanted to support Serenitie.  These are the people that influence lives.  I know my daughter felt special and important with the knowledge that she was supported by someone outside her family. Special thanks to this woman, may you always be comforted in the knowledge that you are making a difference.

So, this year ends and the planning for the next is in full swing.  So many ideas, so many options.  Seri is mostly planning her next year on her own and I am so incredibly proud of her.  Yet, at the same time, I am slightly jealous.  Wish I would have had the opportunity to be the master of my own education. To take the courses I wanted when I wanted without having to drudge through the boring stuff first.  To truly study what I wanted to study rather than what I was told would be important for me to learn.  How grateful I am that my children are entrusted with their education.