She must have done something right

For the past couple of weeks I've been out of commission.  Our family is moving my Mom from her home of 65 years, where she lived semi-independently until her safety was in question.  She will be in an assisted living facility near my home, coping with dementia.  

Her memory blinks in and out of focus, but she's relatively happy.  She could be grieving two of the biggest losses of her life: her independence, and her beloved home.  However, dementia has become a blessing: she doesn't remember being fiercely attached to her home, and she's forgotten things that used to make her bitter and unhappy, or mistakes she's made, or even grudges she once held.

Mom's main worry is that she's a burden on her kids.  But my two brothers and I have assured her that we love her, and we are happy to make sure she's comfortable, safe, and not lonely.  She marvels at this, and likes to say, "Well, I must have done something right.  I sure raised nice kids." 

It's nice to be called nice.  And it's nice my mom can see good results from her parenting, even though it wasn't perfect parenting, and even though we weren't perfect kids. 

This also encourages me, since I am not a perfect parent, nor are my kids perfect.

I focus on the academics my kids will need to succeed in the world.  But what about my children's character, their bond with each other and with my husband and me, and their sense of responsibility and honor?  Am I raising kids who will look at the inconveniences my aging brings, and love me anyway?  Will they love their own families sacrificially, and guide them to to the same? 

High academic scores are a wonderful goal, but not at the cost of a beautiful soul and a caring heart.  The qualities of leadership are important goals, but not without the willingness to think of others, and to value the family unit.  Teaching my kids about Jesus and going to church is great, but I want them to follow His example of leadership: willing to direct and lead and encourage and challenge, but also willing to kneel and wash others' feet, and to love and lay down their lives for those they love.

On the report card measuring character and grace, can I hope my children will get a good grade?   This is what I'm praying about this week. 

My homeschool plan probably needs examination.  I need to refocus on what matters most, and I'd like your input.  How do you build a legacy that proclaims, "she must have done something right"?  And if you struggle, what is your biggest frustration or roadblock?  I look forward to hearing from you.