Living Life With Gratitude ~ Please read the intro…
No. 1 ~ Enough Sunshine To Inspire Your Smile!
From the We Wish You Enough 2012 list!
My 16 year old daughter Jess, is enthusiastic and animated, intelligent and creative… focused and productive…
Or she ‘s not!
Jess is one of the most amazing people I have ever had the privilege of knowing, *Grin* and I understand what a statement that is, considering she’s my daughter… I do understand and know her strengths… and I certainly know her weaknesses… which are few, however challenging. When Jess loses her focus and motivation… procrastination kicks in, in a big way. *Sigh*
I share this not to criticise Jess in anyway, however to say that she has made procrastination into a creative artform… that sometimes actually inspires me. *Smile*
That of course is the reason why it’s so difficult to challenge her… or *shudder* …to discipline her, when she isn’t doing something she should, which brings us to our current point in question.
In October 2011, I reminded Jess to start researching and looking for a new home school program, as she had already told Dave and I that she didn’t want to continue with the same program in 2012. Jess had assessments to submit every 2nd month last year and tests every other month… so basically she was always struggling to find the time to actually read and study the course material, (never mind trying to do the exercises) as she was so busy doing the assessments, and then trying to learn for her exams. While this was one of the reasons that initially attracted Jess to the program… it’s a hectic schedule made more difficult with the pressure and stress involved, and with little or no time for a break in the 11 month course. (So I even have lots of empathy for Jess and understand why she has taken life a lot easier the last couple of months.) *Smile*
Jess did find a program that she wanted to do for Grade 10 & 11… which is actually the Cambridge course for O levels, so Dave and I were fully supportive of her choice. After some more research Jess discovered a glitch. Of all the institutions that offer the higher grade studies for home school, (Grade 10 to 12) only one offers Science. Unfortunately, it’s the most expensive program and the only one that doesn’t have a payment plan and that requires the full fees up front. A whopping R32 000 + with Science being the major cost of about R7500 +…
All of this was of course the reason I wanted Jess to do her research and find a new program in October/November 2011… So that I would know how much we needed… and be able to budget to ensure we had the fees by the end of January when Jess needed to register and start. When Jess actually did the research in mid January 2012… of course there was the drama and stress, and tears and heartache of thinking she would have to forgo her dream program, for something less expensive… and before that there was all the drama and stress of actually getting her going.
During all of this… Dave actually found another less expensive program… with a payment plan. One Jess didn’t want to do.
I missed Jesse’s happy disposition and sunny smile, and I missed Dave’s usual optimism and positive attitude.
I did the only thing left for me to do… I went on my knees.
The answer was the same as I had received the previous few times I had asked… The Cambridge O Levels program was the right course for Jess, however I was starting to feel like Jess and Dave every time I thought about the R32 000. I spent some time reflecting on the situation and how we could resolve our challenging issue. (With some really interesting imaginative scenarios, *Smile*…none of which would work. LOL).
We were experiencing a few days of overcast weather and even some days when it rained without stopping. Very unlike our usual mid summer weather.
A week ago, despite the cloudy skies and previous rainy days… I decided to hang some washing on the line as the tumble dryer was protesting at its continual load. *Grin*
As I was standing hanging the wet washing on the line, a ray of light shone through a break in the clouds, and I turned with my eyes closed to lift my face to the sun.
In that moment the suns warmth touched my heart, and I felt the light of inspiration and wisdom fill my entire being. *Grin*
If anyone had seen me at the time… I either looked like a complete loon with my eyes closed and head lifted up to the sun, grinning like a hyena… or like I had just received the most priceless gift, which I had. *Smile*
I knew in that moment without doubt that the Cambridge O Level program was the right one for Jess… and I knew that there was an affordable solution for us. I also knew that I had to let Jess find the solution, and discover a lesson in her procrastination of the last few months, no matter how creatively inspiring.
In just a couple of hours, Jess found the solution… and her animated radiant smile appeared, just as the ray of sunshine and light of inspiration had appeared early that morning. It was such an incredible experience for me… a truly amazing day. *Smile*
Jess discovered that if we paid the registration fee of R1150.00 …then we could pay per subject for her to receive a subjects course material. Since it’s a two year course, she can write her exams in May/June or October/November 2012… or next year, and that once she completes the subject course and passes her exam whenever she writes in the two year period… then she receives her subject credit and she is finished for that subject. *Grin* Whilst Jess would like to write and pass and complete all her subjects in October/November 2012… we have some time to make the money, so she can have the program she wants. *Smile*
I am happy and excited for Jess… and I am happy to see my husband’s smile… albeit a slightly tired one.
I am grateful for the amazing experience I received. Even though it has been challenging to write about this… and it has taken me more than a week to write, I paid attention, I celebrated the moment… I was so enlivened and open to what was happening because I wrote Living Life With Gratitude just a few days before. I feel gifted and blessed to have seen Jess learn a lesson, and to have been part of that gentle amazing experience.
I know that I’m writing this for myself… even as I know that I am writing this more for Jess, and her children… and that I am writing this for you. I am so grateful that I am able to, and humbled by the gift and blessing that is.
I am grateful for the light of wisdom and inspiration that I am blessed with… and I’m grateful for the sunshine that inspired my smile… and my laughter.
I wish you Enough Sunshine To Inspire Your Smile!
May your day be blessed with love and laughter
Mands
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