There was more to the crying on my husband's shoulders than our immediate problem. I was crying for the death of what society wanted me to believe. I was crying because I was in a web of confusion, one that I thought had no solution. What I did not know was that I was very deceived, like so many other black parents. I was crying, but this death would sprout life--the life of a vision that began to take over my being and usher me into the beginning of a new life. I asked my husband if I could teach our son at home. He looked at me like a cow looking at a new gate. I thought about Booker T. Washington. He started his own educational plan. I would do the same. My husband asked many questions: "What do you mean, home what? What is this 'homeschool'?! Who has ever done this before? Do you know anyone who does it?" Of course I could not answer any of his questions. I asked him to find someone who homeschooled. The next day he called our local church and found a family who was homeschooling.

The reason for the stirring was that four years earlier I had met a family who were homeschooling their children. The boys were well mannered and polite. This impressed me. Well, we met with the family at our local church. They took us under their wing, and the rest is history.

Our oldest son now has a career in the military, having served in Iraq for one year. He serves with the 82nd Airborne. He boasts that having a personal relationship with Christ was the one thing that mattered while he was in Iraq. Our second son is studying piano and music composition in the School of Music at our state college. Our first daughter is also in college studying to become a research biologist. This year we will be graduating our fourth child from homeschool. She is an accomplished pianist and a strong advocate for family issues. She will continue studying at home. I am still homeschooling my 10-year-old daughter, Victoria. You see, we were very involved in our children's education, not just in their "school life." I am taking my time with Victoria and enjoying it!

The blessings of homeschooling run deep and the roots stretch far. It's more than academics. It's virtue. It's victory. I am not pretending that homeschooling removes all ills, but I must admit that the problems are minor. I will boldly say that if parents truly turn their hearts toward their children in every way, in every circumstance, in all activities, and in all affections, the hearts of the children will be turned toward the parents.

I knew that the odds were against me, but because of that I strongly knew that God was not against me. He was for me. Even my husband doubted but came along as a willing supporter. We knew that our family and friends would not support us. Many of the families in the support group were anything but friendly, but this did not offend me, because I was not looking for friends. I needed information and counsel. The seasonal loneliness did not compare to what I wanted to give my children--a strong relationship with each one and a fine education. This meant more to me than the need to be accepted or supported.