Lunch at My Desk

This is my lunch.  I was supposed to eat at school with my son who is taking his first EOG test today.  When I got there, three and a half hours after testing started he wasn't finished.  He does get to eat his lunch but he doesn't get to eat with me.  He doesn't get to eat with the kids who have finished the test.  He gave his smart watch to his teacher.  He took the Road ID off his shoe for fear of it making noise and causing a misadministration.  (A Road ID is simply an identification tag he wears on his shoe when he runs.)  I don't know where he is eating, because I couldn't see him.

As his sweet teacher told me what was going on, I cried.  I cried in front of all his friends.  I tried to stop but I just couldn't.  My teacher friend came over and hugged me, I cried some more.  I cried because I had promised him I would eat lunch with him when he was finished.  I cried because I kept my promise and he didn't even know it.

After three hours, these kids are eating lunch an hour after they usually do.  They are fried, and mine has to keep going.  Why is a 9 year-old taking a three hour test?  And he has to take another one on Thursday!

He isn't finished because he isn't smart.  This kid has grown seven reading levels this year.  He is smart!  But he questions things.  He wonders how things work and why do you think that.  He plays 'What if' and 'Would You Rather' all the time.  So I am sure he has read and reread the questions and over analyzed them for fear of making a mistake.  Because in his creative brain there may be several ways the question could be answered.

My heart breaks for these kids.  This testing is so unnecessary.  It isn't a true test of what they know.  It isn't a true test of his school.  I am not mad at his teacher or the school or anyone in that school.  They are simply doing what they have been told to do.  And if they don't do it this way, everyone has to do it all over again.

A nine year old and a three hour test.  Who thought that was a good idea?

Bright Lights and Confirmands

My grandfather loved Post-It notes.  They were all over the house.  Most of them were reminders to my grandmother of things he wanted her to do.  I think this was written on one of those Post-It's.  "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." 3 John 4.  After my grandfather died, my mother took that Post-It in his handwriting and had it copied and framed with one of his ties for each of her siblings.  

I have always loved that scripture.  It speaks so well of what my grandfather wanted of his children.  Reflecting on that piece of scripture, I think, that is all I want for my children.

Sunday was Youth Sunday at church.  Eight seniors will graduate.  I have known most of those seniors since they were in elementary school.  Their mothers are my friends.  I remember them romping on the hill at my house during barn parties.  Lost legos and water gun fights.  Yesterday, they led us in prayer, they spoke to us from the pulpit.  I cried with those mommas, because I love those kids too.

Nine 6th and 7th graders were confirmed.  Our daughter was one of the four girls.  She spent most Sunday mornings of the past year leaving her sleep overs early to go to confirmation class.  There were retreats and fun Saturday afternoons with her mentor.  She claims Fran as hers.  I can tell they will be friends for the rest of their lives.  And I am so thankful for that relationship.  I have always cherished my mom's friends that were my friends as well. 

Blakely learned more about the kids in her class.  They have matured and grown as friends.  They have grown deeper in their faith.  The four girls in this group will always be friends. The girls have been in church together for most of their lives.  They all go to different schools but church is what they share.  That is special, not everyone has a church family.  While the boys are still icky boys, she does respect them.  

Thank you Rebecca Tucker and Daren Brauer for leading these kids.  I can't put into words how much we appreciate your dedication to the faith journey of some silly middle schoolers.  I noticed yesterday how excited they were to be confirmed.  They did this with your help, but they owned their accomplishment and they were proud.  

And to my mom.  It was so sweet to sit beside and you sing Methodist hymns I know because of you.  Rebecca thanked the parents for making the dedication to get their children to church to participate in Youth and confirmation.  I need to thank my mother.  When I was in middle school she let me make the decision about my faith.  It took me longer, because I was a bit of a rebel.  I didn't want someone to tell me how to love God.  I eventually saw that love is love.  You aren't taught how to love God, you are taught how to love and respect people.  And that is loving God.