even though lillie is only 5, i have often wondered where and how she will go to college. ed graduated from ohio state university and a historically black college, central state. i went to state universities - michigan state for two degrees, the university of minnesota for my PhD. my family kindly paid for my BA. the MA and PhD were all on me (as it should be!). i had graduate assistantships, worked hard, and took out student loans.
Fast forward a few years with a child of my own – dreaming, coming up with many things to do with her life - chief among them being an ocean princess. we've learned and experienced so many aquatic things that i think she might be leaning toward that. however, an archaeologist aunt and a deep and abiding interest in ancient egypt might lead elsewhere....i tell myself, she's only 5. breathe.
we're homeschooling - i know she'll be smart enough to win scholarships. then again, *everyone* thinks their child is smart. we have a upromise account for lillie. her grandmother set up a college account. ed remembers spending so much time with his mother, doing activities and enjoying each other's company. that is the essence of childhood - joy in being, learning, playing together. he doesn't remember financial worries (what kid does?) - he got so many scholarships to pay for his college that he turned some down.
the essentials of becoming well-rounded, of exploring your self and future, while in college? study abroad is a must (lillie's already planning college in paris in one scenario); for me, so is an international internship - there's nothing so expanding/fulfilling as working and living abroad. all this adds up...
how do i find calm in the known stress of financing college? i hope for scholarship opportunities. i keep an open mind as to collegiate location (paris, evergreen, todai...wherever she wants to go). i focus on having fun learning - mummifying chickens, creating a sphinx in the sand, exploring different cultures, people, food - filling our days with joyful learning.
and i breathe - knowing that the future will come; we’ll be happy experiencing all that life has to offer. breathe. i'm enjoying my time with lillie now, trying not to let financial worries intrude upon these precious days that we have with her, before she goes out to explore the world on her own.
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