Estimated reading time: 4 minute(s)
Yesterday was the last class day for a home school group that we’ve been part of this year. Every Monday a couple dozen families or so come together for three classes, a talk about life with God, and some extra time in the gym. (The kids love that part!) It’s a place to connect with lots of other families who are also not sending their kids through the public school system, which is really nice.
If you’re a regular reader of GregsHead.net, you’ll already know this about me, but for those who may have just happened by, or are new here…
I’m very weird. 🙂
So, I notice funny things. One such thing was from a conversation yesterday that seemed to suggest that because it was the last day of Monday classes, I would not be seeing a particular person from our group again, presumably until the classes resume again in September!
That was actually so odd to me (since I am, in fact, the one who is odd) that I didn’t even understand that possibility! But after thinking about it a bit, I replied, “But… we’ll still get together…”
What struck me about it afterwards was that I know I used to think that way. I totally did. The sadness (if there indeed was any) of a school year coming to an end was that you wouldn’t see your friends again till the next year. Same with any other programs we are part of. We wish they wouldn’t end, because it means we won’t see those people any more for a while… at least, not regularly.
But why? Why do we live that way? Is it our culture? Our very individualistic society? Are we intentionally only allowing relationships to happen through structures that we have created? What about dropping by a neighbor’s house just to say hello? What about inviting those friends over for dinner? What about inviting them to meet you at a park, or out for a walk with your family, or at the ice cream place?
How about just a friendly phone call for no particular reason at all? Might find out about something that’s going on that you could help with, or just join in on. (With mutual consent, of course… not recommending “crashing” someone’s party.) 😉
I’m fascinated by the way we relate to each other in our society, our culture. We have forgotten the days of knowing and doing life beside our neighbors. We drive to every social club/event/gathering that we do, because they are often not in our local community. And our social interactions are nearly all “scheduled”. Schedules aren’t bad, necessarily, but where’s the freedom to just be friends? Does every interaction have to be for a reason?
Sadly, I think somewhere along the way, I learned that to be true.
Thankfully, somewhere later along the way, I unlearned that.
One thing we try to do as the Campbell family is be available. We really try hard not to plug in to too many things because it will just drive us crazy. Sure there will be fun parts. Seeing lots of people on a regular basis is one of those parts. But the drawbacks are too great. Do you ever feel like your days are all about getting to the next thing or getting the next thing done? Where are the moments to enjoy life? Alone, with God, or together with family and friends?
Not that events are not part of life. That’s not at all what I am saying. But our tendency (at least, speaking for our family a few years back, and even now when we don’t pay attention!) is to say “yes” to every fun opportunity, or even seek out things to be doing. I won’t go into all the possible reasons we busy ourselves so, but it is certainly true of most everyone that I know. So, I’m guessing it is true of you, too.
Groups and events and scheduled gatherings are super great. There are good memories made, and often, good relationships developed. But it just doesn’t end there. In fact, if it does, I contend that you don’t have good relationships (with those people). A friendship is more, deeper. Through good and bad, in meaningful and completely meaningless times. It’s always on. There’s no summer break.
So, to any of our home school group friends who may be reading this… I know that our last day of classes was yesterday, but, I’m fairly certain that if our families have connected, you’ll be seeing more of me. 😉
yes it’s true..you are weird 🙂
I think some of us crave relationship more than others, but it is definitely a western culture thing too, in my opinion…
fact of the matter is, in order to get up off our tushies and do something, we must WANT TO, and relationships are no different, they require effort and energy.
For you or me, that’s not a deterrent, but I do know some people (hehe) for whom it is….
Laura, Jen and I have been thinking a lot lately about education (in general, our own, and our children’s) and one thing we’ve noticed is that it does definitely take effort. The word effort might be misunderstood, though. In some ways it conjures up images of (unwanted) toil, rather than just “fruit-producing” work. Anything worth doing in life does definitely require some energy… or effort!
Re: that being a deterrent, Jen has said repeatedly that structures through which we have friendships and relate are the apparatus that ensures that people who have lower motivation to “be a friend” are actually “off their tushies” and out with people. An interesting take on it, to be sure. The only problem with that is when all of your interaction with others is reliant upon this apparatus. At least, it’s a problem from my vantage point. In that it’s not the best, fullest form of friendship and relating.