Beyond Bringing Up Boys

On this trip, Zac and I have adopted the "inductive tourism" strategy. We begin with the big picture, and then learn several smaller details along the way. General to specific. Today's big picture was the British Museum of history. After about five minutes we realized that there was not a chance in the eternal history of time that we were going to be able to see a very large percentage of this museum today. We narrowed the parameters significantly and spent over two hours visiting exhibits from 1000 BC to 1000 AD -- of European history alone. To put that experience into perspective, we visited three or four rooms on one floor. There are at least six levels in this museum. In my opinion, history can be really tedious if I cannot find someway to humanize it. Today I looked for the humanity of the displays. Take, for instance, this piece of lead.  Unseen is a curse written during the time of Roman occupation of England; What an insight into huma...

As usual, they've overpacked.  Seriously, this IS their luggage for a WEEK! They'll fly to Boston for the day and catch up with one of Zach's best friends and a former student of Dr. B.  They'll leave from there for London about 9:00 tonight.  I was a bit unsettled after the partially detonated bomb that went off yesterday in the Tube .  I reminded myself last night that God does not provide grace for my imaginations.  So, here's praying that these two have a fabulous trip together and come home even closer than ever with memories for a lifetime! 

In July of 1996, I found out that I was having a boy. Secretly, I had hoped for a girl, but because I knew David wanted a son, I was thrilled for him. I knew he'd make a great dad to either gender. Once I had Zachary, I was in love with boys, and would have gladly filled up a bus with them. During my pregnancy, I'd dream of the relationship David would have with his son. But, I'm telling you, I couldn't even dream of how special their relationship really is--to both of them. In May of this year when David turned 50, Zachary surprised him with tickets to fly to England so that David can truly experience the places he's taught about.  I'm not used to flying solo, so I'll miss David (and his coffee making skills!), but I'm so thankful they'll be making such wonderful memories together! 

Circa. 1973  Circa. 1977 4 siblings, 3 spouses, 1 boy friend, 11 children, 1 son-in-law, 7 dogs, 5 cats, 2 birds, 2 peacocks, 15 chickens, 2 geese, 1 goat, 1 guinea pig, 1 chinchilla, 1 snake, 1 hedgehog, 1930 combined miles, and diversity galore. Our family is not perfect. We argue. We fight. And sometimes we stop talking to each other, but we're family and when it matters, we are there for each other. And so, it was notably special that each one took time out of their active schedules to celebrate Zachary's achievement. I love you all!

It has been such a pleasure to have Zachary at Veritas Classical School this year. Veritas provides classroom instruction one day a week, with an emphasis on classical subjects from a Christian perspective. It is the goal of Veritas to create life-long learners who think Biblically and logically. For the Literary Tea in February, Zachary was required to memorize poetry.  He quoted "The Road Not Taken." Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth. Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same. And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back. I shal...