Resolutions aside, I humbly admit to utter failure! No matter how resolute I have endeavored to be, my blogging has…lagged! The ‘better late than never’ adage, that I somewhat cringe to proclaim, is at least, (I hope), of some weak consequence and thus return I to blog land!
We have also returned home. Home to Goa!
We have had a wonderful summer with family and friends and it is not with a light heart that we have embraced, wept and parted. We are truly blessed to have such supportive and loving families; Adam and I never take that for granted.
One of the highlights of our trip were two visits to the Walters Art Museum, Baltimore. There is so much to see there! Jules Breton, Returning From The Fields particularly stood out for me. I know his works are more idyllic and not as realistic as Millet’s or Van Gogh’s peasant studies, but he captures the camaraderie, the labor, the quiet gratitude for companionship and the hope of reward after hard labor.
Working, walking and waiting is easier with friends!
My Charlotte Mason journey has had the blessing of very faithful supporters and companions but two in particular have come alongside and enriched the walk! This painting made me think of the three of us! Renu and Seema, whom I have known for 18 and 17 years respectively, are my very dear friends! I love that we have learned so much together and I’m deeply grateful for all their encouragement in my quest for excelsior as far as home school is concerned.
Our weekly class at The Coffee Stop, where we have been reading and discussing When Children Love to Learn, is a time we look forward to all week! What an eye-opener! This book is helping us to better grasp Charlotte Mason’s principles, giving us food for thought and plenty of room for meaningful discussion. Besides, it’s always fun to hang out with each other especially over coffee and tea!
As homeschooling mothers, we must remember that the labors may be long but at the end of the day there is hope for a wonderful harvest. Of course there are no guarantees in life; but at least we would have known we did our best and that we have friends, true friends, who will speak the truth and lend their arm and shoulder without hesitation.
In 1871 when Jules Adolphe Aime Louis Breton completed this beautiful canvas, he could not have possibly foreseen that a hundred and forty five years later, an Indian lady would travel to the US, look upon his art, feel a connection and be inspired. Keats said it perfectly, “A thing of beauty is a joy forever”.
