Fall 2021

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FALL 2021 HOMESCHOOL IOWA 17
It Only Takes One Small Thing
BY JENNIFER CIHA | FIELD TRIP IOWA
Igenerally don’t run errands during the daytime with my
children, mostly because schoolwork and activities have
increased as my twins have gotten older.
I have also become more conscious of the attention we draw. If I
am with only one child, it seems that onlookers assume my child is
out of school for the afternoon because of a doctor appointment
or some other issue. However, two or more children together with
Mom somehow seems to attract more attention.
All of this circled through my mind recently as I made the decision
to head over to Walmart at 1:00 p.m. Offering a little pep talk to the
kids, I strolled out of the house with confidence.
Along the way, my attention was attracted by a pumpkin
stand selling big, glorious pumpkins for an amazingly low price.
A list began to form in my head: Grandma, the elderly couple
down the street, my aunt, my best friend who has lots of little ones
under 4 years old, all of them needed – NO, must have – a bright,
cheerful pumpkin.
We pulled up alongside the stand and started our search in and
around the large wagon stacked high with shining orange globes
for the best pumpkins to give to our friends and family. Focusing on
my list, I allowed the children to explore.
There it was! The perfect round pumpkin for my beloved aunt. As
I was completing my inspection of this successful find, a gentleman
walked up to me.
“Is that your son over there?” he asked.
“Umm...yes...,” I answered, not sure what was coming next and
struck by the sudden thought that perhaps I should have just stayed
home. Why had I thought it necessary to go to Walmart before the
afternoon rush instead of ordering online?
Interrupting my thoughts, he said, “Your son is the nicest young
man. I asked him if he was in school, and he said, ‘No, sir. I am home-
schooled.’ That just made my day.”
“Oh. Well, um, thank you,” I replied.
As my defenses came down, I extended my hand and introduced
myself. We chatted for a few minutes. He shared that he had been a
school principal and taught wrestling for over 30 years. Conversa-
tion flowed easily, and, as I wished him a good day, he pulled out
his wallet.
I raised my hand in protest, but he insisted.
“How many pumpkins are you getting?” he asked earnestly.
“Ummm...just a few,” I hesitated.
Strolling quickly past me, he went straight to the attendant and
said, “That young lady is buying five pumpkins.”
I know I muttered some type of surprised and shocked “Thank
you,” and continued making our remaining selections.
As the attendant loaded my van with the generous gifts, the gen-
tleman was loading his. Once again, he said that we made his day,
and we exchanged a few pleasantries before departing.
I continued to ponder this random act of kindness throughout
the afternoon. I have never been on the receiving end of a “pay-it-
forward” gesture.
What struck me most was not the monetary value of his generos-
ity, but, rather, the significant differences in our“school”experiences.
He was a retired professional educator with many years of expe-
rience in the public school system. I am a young homeschooling
mom, who was homeschooled inmy youth. Yet, despite those polar-
opposite differences, we both were a blessing to each other.
How quickly our walls can come down.
When negative attention is directed at home education in the
news, we tend to ask ourselves “What can I do?” or “How can I
change the situation?” Maybe, for most people in most situations,
the answer is simple: Be a positive example, show respect, and don’t
be afraid of who you are as a homeschooling family.
This article is a reprint of a blog post we shared on the Homeschool Iowa Blog.
Jennifer Ciha is an Iowa home-educated graduate who is
currently homeschooling her three children. She shares practical
advice and inspiring images to encourage families to learn and
explore across Iowa on her blog: .