If you are new here we started home schooling last September. In school this would have been Thorin’s second grade year.
Yesterday, Thorin and I went to his best friend, Ella’s 5th grade graduation. It was in a word, terrific. Afterwards, Thorin and I went to lunch.
While we waited for our food we took turns saying our favorite things about the graduation:
“You first” I said.
“Ella playing violin. You”, he said pointing at me.
“Yes! That’s my favorite, too. Now you”, I said.
We went back and forth until the food came.
He and I don’t talk much about his last year of school but it seemed like a good moment to open the door a little more.
“Thorin, do you miss going to school?”
“I miss Walt.” Walt is our dog who died in January.
“I know, me too. But, not school?”
“Not school” he said.
“I have been wracking my brains to think of your first grade teacher’s name”, I said.
This was and is true. I have a block when it comes to her. I could walk over to the file cabinet right now and find her name in innumerable documents that occupy an entire file drawer. But, I’m not going to do that.
Thorin kept his head down eating. I asked Thorin because he has a better memory than me for most of the former professionals in his life: “I can see her plain as day but what is her name?”
“Kicky Waters” he said. Kicky Water’s plays a prominent role in a recent short story by Thorin.
“Oh, God, really?”
“Yes.”
Shaking my head, “That’s who the Baby Robot Teacher Kicky Waters is?”
“Yes!” emphatically.
“Can I asked more question?”
“Yes! Yes!” Thorin is genuinely excited.
“Last year, I asked if you knew what the problem was at school. You said: “I do. It’s me.”
He nodded his head.
“Do you still think that’s true?” I asked
“No”.
“You know it’s them?”
“Yes” he said smiling.
“We should of left school earlier” I said stating fact.
“Yes” he said.
“Daddy and I are so sorry, you know that, right?”
“It’s okay” he said.
“No, it’s not. Thorin, what did you think about in school? How did you do it?”
“King of Asgard.”
“The King of Asgard?” trying to noodle it out.
“Odin’s son, King of Asgard.”
“You were Thor. That’s how you did it?”
“Yes.”
Last Spring Thorin and I presented together to his first grade class a story about his life at home– using the storytelling program Pictello –so they could understand him better. So they could also understand he was like them. At that time I thought this video he conceived was about his love of Thor. Now I understand it’s true meaning.
a typical son 
I too wished I had taken my daughter out of school earlier. I started homeschooling her at age 10. 2 weeks after she a started 4th grade. We are doing great now. Learning is fun for her. I like the teaching part-not all days but most days. Best part is she doesn’t have to deal with those who didn’t believe in her abilities-and worse was the bullying….
Well you accurately summed up the situation. I am so sorry. It’s heart-breaking and there should be a law or one that is followed.
Oh my gosh, he is incredible. I just love how his mind works and the conversations you guys have. He found a way to adapt and survive all on his own.
I love how his mind work, too. I haven’t digested all of it.
He is so awesome. Better than Thor!
I will tell him that:) I could see how hurt he was last year but I didn’t know he had a secret weapon.