Outta The Mouth of Babes

You never really know what will come popping out of the mouth of your kids - nor can you really be sure how much they are absorbing of what you're teaching them...As a part of our homeschooling I'm teaching my 2 boys about my faith. This year I've begun teaching them about many of the other major religions of the world, but for holidays we celebrate my High Holy Days. 
   We went to Thanksgiving at my mother-in-law's today. They are Christian, but not overpowering like my family - but they really don't understand our faith. Well, my mother-in-law sat us all down with dinner and wanted us to go around the table saying what we are thankful for. My oldest (DJ is 9) said he was so thankful for the Gods, that he was thankful they bless our family with health and love, that they provide this meal. Everyone kinda froze and I could see my DH's aunt trying to figure out if DJ had, in fact, used the plural....lol...
   Then, once everyone was served, DJ stood up and announced he'd like to make a toast. (My Irish father-in-law was thrilled) when everyone raised their glasses DJ continued on his blessing, he said, 
"I would like to make a toast in honor of those who are no longer with us (he went on to list those he knows who have passed - including pets)."   

   Everyone was on the brink of tears, it was so beautiful.
   As we began eating, and my MIL stopped being choked up, she turned to me and asked what prompted DJ to make such a toast. I wasn't really sure myself, so I asked him. Here's his reply, 
"Well this week we learned the Colonists celebrated the first Thanksgiving as a Harvest Festival. When we do those at home it's always thanking the Gods for having lots of food, thanking the plants and animals for sacrificing their lives for our food, and taking time to remember those who were no longer there to celebrate with us." 
   It was my turn to be all choked up. As a homeschooler, I am 'teaching' all the time, both religious and secular materials. It was just so beautiful to realize my kids actually think about the lessons I give them - enough to tie in the similarities between a 'harvest festival' and the Harvest we celebrate in Aug, Sept & Oct. This past Samhain I took extra time to really explain to my oldest what the holiday means. We read a poem to the Gods and made a collage of those we love and miss. The next day we also made our own family tree. I'm just so excited that he felt confident enough in his faith to say something, and that he's been learning what I've been teaching!