Fraternal Order of Police Memorial Service

Wow, I haven't posted in a long time. I knew this would happen. You get busy and you don't have time for yourself. The past 3 weeks I have traveled all over the place to help test our students for the PSSA. I've spent the better part of a week in Johnstown and in Lancaster, and then completed a number of one-on-one tests with students locally. Tomorrow I have a home visit in E-town which I will combine with a home visit to Susan who lives just down the street from the student. This is a great use of a Friday evening! :)

It's shaping up to be a busy weekend with all 3 kids going in different directions. Greg's going to a movie with friends, Ben's supposed to be going paintballing with a group from school, and Jim will probably be with his little female friend. Also, I am taking Mom to a ladies' lunch at our church on Saturday. It's been great being home for a change this week to sort of get back to the normal routine, but after this weekend I think I'm going to need to get back to work on Monday just to take a breather!

This past Monday I had the privilege of accompanying the Harrisburg Christian School high school choir to a performance at the Forum. They sang "You Lift Me Up" in a memorial service for the PA officers who fell in the line of duty in the past year. It was a very touching service. There were many state dignitaries there, including Governor Spendell who came in late (I understand he did this last year too). I realize that as Governor he must be very busy with many obligations, but to come in near the end of the service rather than being there at the beginning seems to me as if he was trivializing the service. Or maybe just wanted to make a grand entrance? I was further irritated when he sat there on the stage in full view of the audience and talked, smiled, and laughed with the gentleman beside him during the somber proceedings. The choir members had received a good "talking to" prior to their arrival so that they would understand the solemnity of the service. The kids were so much better behaved than the Governor! Spendell also used his speech as a political rally for Obama and gun control. I would have loved to stand and walk out during that part. :( Despite my feelings toward the Governor's political stance, it was somewhat gratifying to see my children on the stage with him and the other legislators. It was quite an honor for the choir to be asked to perform for the grieving families, and I was thrilled that my boys were able to be a part of this event.

In addition to our illustrious Governor, I also was face-to-face with Mayor Thompson for a brief moment. She was walking out at the end of the service flanked by her guards (???), and as she walked by us chaperones, she smiled and said "Bless you". That was interesting. It happened so fast I don't think I even had time to give her a polite smile in return.

Ben seems to have made the decision to return home for school in the fall. I have to say that makes me very happy! I love being with my children during the day. I think we can create a very positive and enjoyable high school experience for Ben through Agora and local home school co-ops and events. But I am glad that he had this one last opportunity to participate in this event with his HCS peers. It was a wonderful honor, and I enjoyed seeing the boys interact with their friends. Even though I had plenty of catching up to do at work afterwards, it was definitely a day well spent.