The Road Not Taken
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
and sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
and looked down one as far as I could
to where it bent in the undergrowth
Then took the other, as just as fair,
and having perhaps the better claim,
because it was grassy and wanted wear;
though as for that, the passing there
had worn them really about the same
And both that morning equally lay
in leaves no feet had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I –
I took the one less traveled by,
and that has made all the difference.
I’ve always had a bit of a love affair with this poem by Robert Frost. I find it motivational – it brings out the non-conformist in me. I won’t do things simply because “that’s what everyone does” or “that’s the way it’s always been done.” I’m just not wired that way.
However, in an article I recently read, Linda Sue Grimes says this:
“About the poem, Frost asserted, ‘You have to be careful of that one; it’s a tricky poem – very tricky.’ And he is, of course, correct. The poem has been and continues to be used as an inspirational poem, one that to the undiscerning eye seems to be encouraging self-reliance, not following where others have led.
But a close reading of the poem proves otherwise. It does not moralize about choice, it simply says that choice is inevitable but you never know what your choice will mean until you have lived it.”
Adam & I are in the middle of a decision & we’re stuck.
We are deciding between two schools for Ava. She is currently registered for one, but we are second guessing the choice we’ve made. Now, we are contemplating sending her to a different school. The school year begins in about three weeks – gotta love those down to the wire decisions, right? I know, I know…it’s kindergarten. Why am I getting worked up over kindergarten?
I can’t explain this very well. All I know, is deep down, I feel like this decision is bigger than kindergarten. I told you before that I’ve been praying for the friends Ava & Garrett will make this year. So, we’re choosing the place where she will meet the friends & teachers who will continue to mold her as she grows. This will be where she will meet people who she will impact as well. Both of these factors are very important to us.
I don’t enjoy making decisions like these – in fact, this past week has been stressful. What used to be looming in the back of my mind is now hovering right above me. I think part of my struggle is that there is no clear-cut answer. One school isn’t right & one isn’t wrong; they each have their pros & cons & she will receive an excellent education at either one. I can look down both “roads” & try to guess the outcome of choosing each of them. But, I guess the bottom line is, neither guarantees to provide what we hope for, for our kids.
We make our decision today.
We still don’t know what we’re going to do – all I am hoping for right now is for peace.
Please keep us in your prayers.
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Vegetable Soup 