Homework

The Silver Lining

By LaTeisha Williams

When I began teaching my son to read, it was smooth sailing until he had to sound out words. He knew all the short vowel and consonant sounds, but when it came to blending them together to make a word, frustration would ensue; followed by tears. I tried to encourage him by telling him, “It’s hard now, but you’ll be so happy when you’re able to read on your own!” Still tears. He kept working at it—and one day it clicked. As I look at him now, able to pick up just about anything that interests him and read it with little to no difficulty, those beginning reading lessons three years ago seem almost a distant memory.

My son is still a bit too young to realize the lesson he learned, but it was a clear reminder to me. Difficult times can truly show us who we are and what we are made of. On the other side of my tough times, I have found a better listener, a better teacher, more humility, more strength, more experience, more willingness to help others, and more openness to change. I know that I am not alone in any of my struggles, and eventually I will come through. Unscathed or not, I will learn something that helps me, and perhaps, someone else.

Whether it’s a personal experience, or one that you are going through with your child, it is helpful to remember:

I am so grateful for the good and striving to be just as grateful for the difficult.