Fly, Baby Birds

My two baby birds are starting Kindergarten in less than a week, and even though we've been homeschooling for the last two years with preschool... the game changes next week. The stakes are higher when you're talking about actual school years - so I can't help but feel the pressure too.

Can I really teach these two know-it-alls to read? Can I teach them the math skills that I never had in order for them to succeed in ways that I never did? Can we get into a rhythm and not have the wheels fall off for us this year? I guess time will tell.

I had the opportunity to drive a couple of hours away this week to help my mom have knee replacement surgery, and that afforded me some time to reflect on my drive. Just me and some great music in the car... and I found a song that I hadn't heard before, but fell in love with it instantly.

The song is by Maddie & Tae, called "Fly" -- here are the lyrics...
(you can click the link to watch the video)

Baby blue staring in the window pane
Just counting drops of rain
Wondering if she's got the guts to take it
Running down her dreams in a dirty dress,
Now her heart's a mess
Praying she'll find a way to make it

So keep on climbing, though the ground might shake
Just keep on reaching though the limb might break
We've come this far, don't you be scared now
'Cause you can learn to fly on the way down

Searching for a sign in the night even like a lonely string of lights
That'll burn just long enough for you to see it
The road's been long and lonely and you feel like giving up
There's more to this than just the breath you're breathing

So keep on climbing, though the ground might shake
Just keep on reaching though the limb might break
We've come this far, don't you be scared now
'Cause you can learn to fly on the way down

On the way down

You won't forget the heavy steps it took to let it go
Close your eyes, count to ten, hold your breath and fly

Keep on climbing, though the ground might shake
Just keep on reaching though the limb might break
We've come this far, don't you be scared now
'Cause you can learn to fly on the way down

Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Fly
Fly

 

The lyrics struck a chord with me, just like the tribute Kathy Lee Gifford gave about Frank on Monday. If you haven't seen it -- you need to click HERE. 

These two messages just brought tears to my eyes because THAT is what I want for my boys. I want them to take their stones and cast them far into the world, and to keep trying even when it gets hard... because they can learn to fly on their way down whatever path they choose for themselves. 

I hope that the next 13 years of schooling with them give them the love of learning, and opportunities to do things that they've never even dreamed of doing --- while following their own passions and strengths. 

I hope that they learn lessons about handling money, raising children, doing laundry, being good fathers, living for Jesus, always standing up for what is right, how to fix things around the house, to build things along side of their Dad, work outside in the yard, and most of all how to love deeply. 

I want to teach them things about cooking, and how to help their wives - like their Dad does for me. 

I know that they probably won't ever understand all of the fears and hopes that I have in my heart for them, at least not until they have children of their own -- but I just pray that I'm enough for them. I pray that we will enjoy the process, and time together. I pray that as they get older, they'll have the confidence to try new things. 

Most of all, I pray that they can work together and learn together. That James will continue to improve with his ADHD symptoms and allow him to truly fly in ways that he hasn't been able to before. I know that Tyler will do great, and I hope that he is able to soar into the clouds while I get James caught up a little bit with the things that haven't clicked for him just yet. 

Lets go Momma Hawk Academy Class of 2028!