Gifts we pass along

     My husband and I were discussing the idea I mentioned in my last post about looking things up in the World Book Encyclopedia. That's a huge memory for me, from my childhood years. We found answers to questions and settled debates by going to those books! The comment he made hit me pretty hard. He said, "You were very fortunate growing up. I had an interest in doing that kind of thing by the time I was about 7 or 8 and begged my parents for a set of encyclopedias for our home. They wouldn't get them for me." He went on to tell how his second grade teacher sold them, and he remembers her sitting in their living room talking with his parents about the payment plan they could set up to purchase the set. The answer was still no. It wasn't that they couldn't afford them. They just didn't see it as a priority.
    While I was processing the sadness i felt over that story, he added, "There were lots of things I wanted to know. I had to find other ways to look them up, myself." And he did. And went on to become one of the few college graduates in the history of his family. I tip my hat to you, Jim Rusk, and to the children and young people who lack the gift my parents gave us so many years ago. Encyclopedias, yes. But also, a high value placed on learning, and as my husband says, intellect.
    I know the topic of what kind of education to provide for your children is a hot one. Controversial. Let me just say, I have had my children in public school, private school and home school. Over the years, I have known many families who have chosen all three of those options for their children. May I say that in my humble observation, the greatest determining factor in how the children "turn out" points straight back at the parents and the family, regardless of which schooling road the children traveled?
    Okay, off my soapbox and on with my theme......For a few short years I had the privilege of home schooling my four oldest children. It was a great adventure, and as a mom and a teacher, I gained as much from the experience as my children did. It gave me a perspective on what really matters in education like nothing else ever has or will. But, that story for another time!
    When we began homeschooling, it was 1993. We didn't have a computer or the internet in our home. I really wanted a resource for my children to use like I had when I was growing up. I approached my parents about the idea of gifting us their set of 1960 World Books. After a few days, the answer came back from my mother. No, to passing their World Books on to us. Yes, to purchasing a brand new set for my children to use at home. What a gift! And let me tell you, they were used and utilized! They still hold a place of honor across the bottom of one of my large bookshelves of "special" books.
    All my kids have access to the internet, now. So much more information at their fingertips. I have to give credit to my family heritage for passing along a precious gift to me, so that I could pass it on to my children and all those other children who call me (whatever they call me). I love knowledge and understanding and wisdom. I hope you do, too. And if there are young people in your life, I hope you pass along that gift to them.