Walk Into A World of Learning.

by Charmayne Khan

Last evening as I was digging in the dirt, I was thinking about my journey in homeschooling. The question came to me, "What would I be like if I did not homeschool?" Immediately, I knew I would be
IGNORANT. That seems harsh to say about me, a stay-at-home mom, but honestly that is where I would be. I would be the same woman I was 25 years ago who was not educated. At that time, I disliked learning. I did not like history or reading books. I did not want to learn more. In my heart, I had resolved I would never go back to school. I would know how to do a lot of things, but I would be totally ignorant. And I could not have great conversations with my husband who had been educated liberally.
I remember after about 4 or 5 years of homeschooling, I felt my life had changed. I was learning about world history, the various avenues of science, all the beautiful literature that was out there, art and music and more. I was finally enjoying learning again. That evening, I had a discussion with my husband about what a liberal education was, and I turned to him and shared how I felt now that I was learning about all these subjects:
“I feel like I have been in a small, dark house. I could not see anything. It was all I knew and what I thought life would always be. I thought I knew everything I needed to know for life. I knew there was a door but I thought it was locked. I didn't even care to open it. I was content to stay in this little house. Then one day, I came to the door and found it unlocked. Up to this point, I had not thought about this door and did not care to go outside of it. But now, I found myself at this door and wanted to open it. So I did. And what opened up to me was the most beautiful world! A whole new world of color and beauty—larger than life—had opened up to me! I felt I was on a mountaintop with a field full of yellow flowers. My eyes were trying to take it all in, but I couldn't because there was so much to see. I was surprised! How could I have lived in this small, dark house and not known there was so much more out there? My world has completely changed! I feel like I have been freed!"
How liberating it was to enter this new world. And the thing that struck me was that prior to this time, I was always free to enter that world but never considered it because I did not even know about it.
I was content and comfortable in my ignorance. How sad a state that was! Fast forward to today. I am finishing my 12th year of homeschooling, and I am so THANKFUL for this opportunity. Little did I know that when I started homeschooling I would be the one who grew tremendously as a person. Last night, I turned to my husband and said that if it were not for homeschooling, I would still be ignorant. And you know what? He said, "Yes, you would."
We are both thankful for my liberal education! I have at least another 12 years to go—or rather to grow! You would think I would get burned out or tired of homeschooling, but I am neither. I am super excited to homeschool my children. I get to learn many more things and build myself up as a person! I am so excited for this continuous opportunity!