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To parents of prospective reunion attendees
Last year I had the opportunity to attend the HSA reunion in Kentucky with my youngest daughter, Amy. Prior to that, my twin daughters Claire and Katie attended the 2007 reunion in Missouri. This year Katie, along with Peter, our youngest and final graduate, will, Lord willing, attend the 2009 reunion.
I must admit that I had some concerns about approximately 400 young people coming together for a weekend and I teased my daughters about the concept of a reunion when they hadn’t even met any of these people! (I think this outstanding HSA event may force a new definition of the word “reunion”.)
My fears were allayed when I spoke with Claire and Katie by cell phone as they were making their way to the Missouri location and were greeted by friendly, helpful people, and this was just the beginning. During the weekend my daughters met and made friends with other young ladies of like mind and character. They have both formed deep friendships, and I am convinced that God has given them sisters in Christ who will walk with them through their lifetimes, encouraging each other in their walk with the LORD and in whatever paths their lives may take.
My daughter Amy had already networked online with many homeschoolers on the HSA website, so that by the time she arrived last summer in Kentucky, she truly was having a reunion with other like-minded young people! It was just a matter of putting faces to names and spending hours talking and laughing. It was so fun to see her relate to others and develop strong friendships herself.
Our culture has changed significantly in the last generation or so. We no longer stay in the same location as our parents or even in the start-up location as young adults. Moving is the norm, and it is crucial to learn how to adapt quickly to new situations and environments. The HSA Reunion smashes the ill-gotten concept that homeschoolers lack socialization; indeed, this event demonstrates quite the opposite as homeschoolers from all 50 states and several countries jump into new situations and form or strengthen relationships over the course of a weekend filled with fellowship, fun, and some deep discussion. It may not be an overstatement that the HSA reunion will have a positive, lasting impact on our culture as homeschoolers lead the way in forging ahead with groundbreaking life skills in the area of communication and relationship building, even as the culture at large continues to move toward cocooning, a behavior that is, in my opinion, not Biblical.
Because of a shared love for the LORD, the HSA reunion demonstrates in a small way what heaven will be like – we will meet people we’ve never met, but share a common bond and love instilled by the LORD himself. And though I do not want to put too high a mark on the HSA reunion, I believe the tie that binds most homeschoolers is a relationship with Jesus. It is my hope that this event will continue to glorify the LORD and find ways to do so even more.
- Pamela Burback
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