An impromptu trip to the library provided us with an unexpected educational experience. As we approached the square,we heard bagpipes. The boys broke into a run and stopped a good way from the bagpiper. He sensed their excitement, turned and marched toward them slowly, playing his Scottish tune. He marched right up to them and finished it. Then he knelt down on one knee to talk to them. It turned out that he was a fire fighter who was there for a fire and police meeting. But he also took the time to play his pipes out in the square and talk to little boys. They peppered him with questions which he patiently answered.
He gave us quite a lesson. We learned that bagpipes are played at many fire fighter and police meetings and funerals because when the Scottish and Irish emigrated to America, no one wanted to give them jobs. So they became fire men and police. Those were undesirable jobs back then. It was only natural for them to reflect their culture in their ceremonies. He also showed us how his bagpipe worked and we talked about how it was similar to the recorder. That was exciting for the boys because they have been learning to play the recorder in music time.
It was so nice to bump into a fantastic role model while we were scampering around town. This happens to us from time to time and it enriches our home school experience. It makes me think of the missed opportunities for the children who spent that day cooped up taking a C-SAP test. That makes me sad. I wish more people knew what a great reward for their children and for themselves it can be to educate children at home. It allows for serendipity to take place in our lives, for a deeper family connection, and for our children to be the individuals that they are without the hindrance of social conformity. In my opinion, those things provide us with a richer life than the money I could bring in at a job, or the feeling of security that the government was taking care of my children's education.
