Homeschool Memories Worth Their Weight in Gold
October 13 was a special day in our home. My bride of 40 years, Rachael, celebrated her 60th birthday! Now, I could have simply bought a card, taken her out to dinner, and called it a day. But this is a milestone worth celebrating. So I decided she deserved something a little bigger: an entire birthday month!
I set aside several dates on the calendar for special celebrations. We began by gathering with friends for dinner one Friday night. Before long, we were reminiscing about the days when we were all raising and homeschooling our children. We laughed about old memories, recalled some of the challenges, and remembered the deep waters and valleys we had walked through together.
Homeschooling is not always easy. There are seasons of joy and seasons when you wonder if you have what it takes to keep going. Some days feel like you’re making tremendous progress. Other days, you wonder if anyone learned anything at all! But looking back with friends who shared the journey reminded us of something important. God was faithful through it all. And the relationships forged during those years are a gift we continue to enjoy today. We raised our glasses and toasted my blessed bride. There were simple gifts, cards, and heartfelt words of blessing. But I had a few more surprises up my sleeve.
Birthday Celebration
On the actual date of her birth, I presented Rachael with a brand-new yellow bicycle. Why yellow? Because it’s her favorite color. And why a bicycle? Because she had literally worn out her previous one! Yes, the old bicycle was yellow, too. Apparently, when something works, you stick with it. And when you wear it out, you get another one just like it.
I also took her out to dinner. Naturally, we went for Mexican food. If you want to celebrate Rachael, that’s a pretty safe bet.
But the best gift of the evening wasn’t something I purchased at a store or ordered from a restaurant menu. It was something I had carefully collected from our seven adult children. I handed Rachael handwritten notes from each of them. Five are married now, and all seven have lives filled with responsibilities, relationships, work, and adventures of their own.
As she began reading, her face lit up. She later told me this was the best gift of all.
Homeschooling Memories: A Priceless Family Treasure
Our children didn’t merely write, “Happy Birthday, Mom!” They shared memories. Lots of them.
They remembered birthday celebrations she had made special way back when, trips we had taken together, family meals (especially Saturday morning pancakes), lessons she had taught them, vacations we had enjoyed, and legendary holiday traditions. They remembered the books she read aloud and the many hours she spent pouring into their lives.
Those read-aloud memories especially caught my attention. How many hours did Rachael spend sitting with our children, reading one more chapter? How many stories, adventures, and conversations unfolded because she made time to open a book and invite them into its pages?
At the time, those moments probably seemed mundane. They were simply part of another day in the life of a homeschooling family. But ordinary days have a way of becoming extraordinary memories.
The notes also included more recent experiences: weddings, college soccer careers, moves to distant states, and other milestones that belong to the lives of grown children. As I watched Rachael smile and occasionally laugh while reading, I realized that memories were flooding both of our minds.
We weren’t simply celebrating a birthday. We were celebrating a lifetime of faithfulness, love, sacrifice, and shared experiences. And we were reminded that the investment was worth it.
Our 26-Year Homeschooling Journey
Our homeschooling journey lasted from 1996 to 2022. I like to say it was 26.2 years because that makes it an official marathon. And I’m proud to say that we finished this race with grit, determination, joy, and a boatload of memories. Some of you know exactly what I mean. Homeschooling isn’t a sprint. It’s a long-distance race that requires endurance, patience, prayer, and a whole lot of grace.
When I look back, our homeschool was far from perfect. There were things we never started and plenty that we never finished. We walked in grace and allowed our journey to be unique to our family. I like to say it was an adventure of a lifetime. And there is so much truth to that statement.
As you think about your own experience, there are lessons to prepare, books to read, meals to make, laundry to fold, character issues to address, and countless opportunities to teach your children what is true, good, and beautiful. Much of the work happens quietly, without applause or recognition. And yet, God uses those ordinary moments to shape lives.
Rachael retired from homeschooling more than four years ago, but the memories remain fresh. Today, we’re well into grandparenting mode. Our grandchildren know us as Coco and Pops, respectively, and we’re enjoying a new season of life, watching the next generation grow.
Still, my wife’s 60th birthday reminded me of something I never want to forget: Mom and Dad are irreplaceable. Sure, grandparents are wonderful. Teachers, coaches, pastors, and friends all play important roles, too. But no one can take the place of a faithful mother and father who love their children and invest themselves in their lives.
When you homeschool, the investment of time, energy, prayer, and effort is massive. But so is the potential return—not necessarily measured in test scores, diplomas, or college acceptances, but in relationships, shared experiences, and memories that last a lifetime. Think of it as a stockpile of memories the size of Fort Knox. Solid gold!
Keep Investing in What Matters Most
Perhaps you’re in the thick of homeschooling right now. Maybe you’re wondering whether all the effort is making a difference. Perhaps you’re tired, discouraged, or simply ready for the next school day to go a little more smoothly.
Take heart. You may not see the fruit of your labor today. Some lessons will be forgotten, some plans will fall apart, and some days will feel like a complete waste. But don’t underestimate the power of your faithful presence. Keep reading aloud, sharing meals, making birthdays special, praying with your children, teaching God’s Word, forgiving one another, and pointing your family toward Christ. Remember the words of Galatians 6:9,
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
One day, you may find yourself sitting across the table from your spouse, reading handwritten notes from your grown children that remind you of the things you thought nobody noticed. And you may discover that the moments you considered ordinary were among the most precious gifts you ever gave them.
As for me, I’m grateful for 60 years of Rachael, more than 26 years of homeschooling, seven adult children, and a growing number of grandchildren (13 so far, with three more due next year). I’m thankful for the memories we’ve made and the God who carried us through every season.
Happy birthday, Rachael! Here’s to the next chapter—and many more miles on that yellow bicycle!
Homeschooling Reflection and Discussion Questions
- What ordinary moments in your family’s daily life might your children one day remember as extraordinary? How can you become more intentional about creating those moments?
- If you are currently homeschooling, what deep waters or valleys has God helped your family navigate? How might remembering His faithfulness encourage you to persevere?
- If your children wrote you a letter today, what memories would you hope they would share? What changes could you make now to invest more intentionally in the relationships and experiences that matter most?
