I used to think all things turn beautiful in the end. Now I wonder...In the case of Alexis' education, she was amazing. I should have posted her results a long time ago, because she deserves the credit; she did very well in kindergarten. Although this is great, it ended with her mother getting kicked out, again, and because we are a package deal this means she did not get to finish the school year. We were invited to come back for the graduation ceremony, but it just did not feel right - probably because of my pride.
Here is Alexis' report card for the 2017/18 school year:
She earned a GPA of 95.3%, which equals an A. She passed her spelling tests, memorized and recited scriptures (often times quite long!), learned how to read and add and play, all the while spreading love, acceptance, and joy. I am so incredibly impressed with her!
At the beginning of this current school year Alexis ad I were attending 1st grade at a different private school who had decided to put their hands in the bucket and give us a chance, too. I was prepared this time. I was going to learn from my past mistakes. This school year felt different. I knew I had a good six terms of training behind me now and I was prepared for success....until I realized it was not the right setting for Alexis. The school was small, with a student body of five (including Alexis), and ended up consisting of quiet, independent study 90% of the day. Alexis learns best when verbally instructed, prompted, and reinforced. Independent learning has never been her forte. We gave it a try anyway, and then I withdrew her to begin a home school routine again.
After a couple of months of being institution-free we found ourselves buying a house. It took a lot of our time and we did not get in as much studying as I had prepared for. Then, two-and-one-half months after closing we discovered Alexis was in the final stage of End Stage Renal Failure, and we have essentially been away from home ever since.
I do not know what the future holds for us. I do not know if she is going to be okay. I do not know if I will be okay. I am not sure if we are going to see our new home again or pet our cats. The plan is to get a new kidney and then return. Just yesterday though, I found out Alexis' heart is now having problems and it might prevent her from getting a transplant. I feel I do not know anything anymore, except our focus is no longer on academics. That journey is over. The finish line has been taken down and now we turn our attention to lessons of nephrology and quality of life.
I appreciate everyone who supported us in our "1st Grade 4 Alexis!" quest. Many of you gave money as we began, and three of you still have yet to receive your Thank You gifts. I am sorry they did not get to you over in Florida, Alaska, and Valencia. The only excuse is the crazy ride, yet still. Please forgive me. I will always feel bad I was not a better school assistant for Alexis. Yet, I guess at least I tried. If I had not, we never would have seen such a remarkable report card, and the skills she learned in kindergarten carry her through life now.
I do not regret this race, I just wish I had better training prior to starting. To prepare, though, I would have needed to know we were going to join the race. In our case, we were just walking along one day, enjoying the views, when suddenly we found we were in the middle of a racetrack, and there was nothing to do, except run with it. An irony is even if I had been the perfect assistant for Alexis at the perfect school, she still would not be finishing, because her genetic kidney issue was inevitable....Life sure is a funny bowl of cherries!
No comments:
Post a Comment