Today, we are revisiting a post from August 17, 2011. Why, you ask? Well, for one thing, there has been glowing success posted here for quite some time. Not that this post implies a lack of it. My Leadership Education book group is reading Jane Eyre. It will be discussed next week. Son #3 was invited. I met him in the hall last week looking ragged. “I’m done with Jane Eyre.” Me: “You ARE?!” #3: “NO. I’m D-O-N-E. The crazy chick ripping through the halls is creeping me out. I was literally up every time the wind blew last night. I can’t take her or this plot.” Son #2: “I’ll go to the book group with you Mom.” Praise Jesus. Just a few days later #3 to me while watching the Hatfields and McCoys History series: “You know that tobacco increases saliva in the glands, right?” He’s sooo joining us for the Jane Eyre discussion. Trust me on this one. Whilst he is reading the Hunger Games and The Virginian, Jane will rise from the ashes. I’m so relieved that my book group is a strong, hearty bunch! Over and out.
1. Great mentors believe in freedom- in the world and in one’s personal education.
2. Great mentors believe in individualizing the process and content of each student’s learning.
3. Great mentors believe that each student has a unique and vital mission in life.
4. Great mentors believe that students learn more and better when they are inspired and intrinsically motivated than when they are compelled by requirements. – From The Student Whisperer’s Creed, “The Student Whisperer”, DeMille and Earl
I have received…
some lovely, affirming communication…
from TommyMom readers of late.
TommyMom readers…
are incredible people.
I don’t state that often enough.
The timing of this…
could not be more appropriate.
Nearly every piece of correspondence…
has thanked me for being real.
I must admit…
that the affirmation of reality…
is a huge indicator…
on my compass.
I am really leary…
of portrayals…
of near-perfect/perfect…
family life.
You know…
where the children…
are in perfect sync…
while mom is…
baking whole grain bread…
from wheat she ground fresh…
that morning?
Um…
we’re not that family.
Let it be clearly stated…
yet again…
that there’s plenty of reality…
over here…
and at times…
it’s rather biting.
Why yes…
this was the preface…
to an update…
about the progress…
that Son #3…
has made in Jane Eyre!
Why do you ask?
I broached said subject…
while driving with him…
last week.
Me: “So…how’s Jane Eyre coming along?”
Out of the corner of my eye…
I witnessed the distinct change of countenance.
#3: in a tone resembling nails on a chalkboard…
“She’s left the home/orphanage/school.”
His voice fell flat. I knew he was gearing up.
“Might I be brutally candid here?”
And before I could respond…
“There are many things wrong so far…
and I’m not that far.”
Referring of course…
to his location within the book.
“Seriously. There is something…
very very wrong…
with you people…
for liking this book…
and something even far more serious…
about recommending it to others!
What’s up with the friend…
that dies in the bed next to her?!”
A reference to “you people”….
tends to be a common default…
I’ve noticed…
when he is passionate about a topic.
Or… disgusted.
Me: “Are you kidding me?
I was deeply moved.
Can you imagine?
Historians believe…
that this book…
could very well be…
an account…
of her personal life!”
He’s throwing me no bones.
His countenance is placid.
#3: “You could need help…
and possibly not know it.”
Me: “Are you sticking with it?”
#3: “Yes! I’m making progress…
while looking for the point.
Do not panic, Madre!”
Fast forward to today…
and its finding.
Allow me to give you a better view.
Jane Eyre…
is indeed there…
under the latest…
um “classic.”
She’s coverless.
I didn’t even have to ask.
#3: “I took the liberty…
of removing the cover…
on Jane Eyre because…
that chick on the front…
gave me the creeps.
Besides…
she looks absolutely nothing…
like the Jane Eyre I’m envisioning.”
Me: doing the best I can to remain emotionless…
“Exactly where is the Jane that you’re envisioning?
Please, please tell me…
she’s beyond the home/orphanage/school.”
#3: “She is.
In fact, she’s making her way…
towards the home of Mr. Rochester.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
And might I add…
she’s taking her own sweet time?
She manages to do this quite well.
I hope this is going to pick up.”
Me: “Are you honestly reading…
this book about cigars?”
#3: “Absolutely.
while this may very well be interpreted…
as a shallow, insecure act…
I would very much like to clarify here…
that no one in our family smokes.
We never have.
Thank you for listening…
and understanding.
#3: “In fact…
here are some things I’ve learned so far:
1. Cigarettes have gun powder and/or chemicals…
that help them stay lit.
A cigar will go out…
if you do not provide the air to keep it going.
2. Even though there are more online purchase options…
you are better off to shop with a tobacconist in person…
because there, you can properly screen your cigars.
3. The tobacco beetle can live in cigars…
so if you see trails or holes, the tobacco beetle is present.”
It is my sincere hope…
that armed with this incredibly pertinent information…
both you and I will sleep better tonight.
Me: “Is this information relevant?”
with zero hesitation…
Son #3: “I’ll have you know…
that pivotal people in the history of the world…
utilized finer tobaccos.
Winston Churchill, a famous cigar smoker…
Son #5 innocently interrupts:
“Don’t you need to make your mouth…
into an “O” so that you can make rings?”
#3 continues:
“C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien…
both preferred pipes.
There is a lot of information here.
May I go now?”
Me, as he is leaving…
“What happened to the Bad Ass book?
#3: exuberantly…
“Oh, I’m still reading that too!
And when I’m finished…
and put all 3 of these together…
you and I are going to have…
the most incredible colloquium…
you’ve ever experienced!”
Help me, Jesus.
The picture above…
was taken in Santa Monica last summer…
where he met…
this flavorful individual on the beach.
He was enamored.
I had visions of him living…
in a retro VW bus…
while earning a living…
in a similar fashion…
singing…
while encouraging people…
to revisit the art of hoola-hooping.
Last week…
we attended a Leadership Summit together.
It was simply incredible.
Son #3 loved it…
took interesting notes…
while also doodling non-stop.
“Mom”, he said at the end…
“I absolutely love Seth Godin.
I so relate to him!”
Whew!
Slowly at times…
but surely…
we’re making progress.
It really is…
far less beneficial…
to shout…
rather than whisper.
Your family cracks me up! I, for one, am in love with the novel, Jane Eyre. But, it does seem that people either love it or hate it.
All truth truly is connected so I’m sure you’re going to have FANTASTIC book colloquium on those 3 books.
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I LOVE THIS. I’ve never read Jane Eyre, but you’ve inspired me to try. If your son ever does move into a VW bus and wear a bright yellow suit, please do share a picture.
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Just for the record, I just freshly ground whole wheat and made a healthy pancke breakfast for my family. (But, for the non-perfect, realistic side – dishes are stacked to the ceiling, my feet continuously *crunch* on old Cheerios, dried up mac n cheese, and random LEGOS with every step, and Son #1 has asked if he can sell Son #3 on ebay.)
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Thanks for the update Teri! I remember reading this post last year and wondering how it would all turn out. Praise God for individuality.
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You made me laugh today! Great story and thanks for keeping it “real”!!!
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I am highly offended by the bread making comment. Okay – Not really – but it made me laugh! CAN”T WAIT to discuss this book with all the young adults present!
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I’m still with your sons on Jane Eyre–just can’t seem to relate, understand, or enjoy that book! On the other hand, I find the whole story about you and your boys and Jane quite entertaining.
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