Today we experienced a lovely unschooling moment. These are moments that open and bloom exactly like a hidden bud suddenly appears from behind its leaf as a gorgeous flower. If you find the bloom and start pulling on the petals you are sure to hinder a process happening invisibly, certainly, and beautifully. You can try to implore a bud to bloom, but you will fail nearly every time.

Our dear son is a student of Aikido. What is Aikido? Ai = harmony Ki = energy Do = The Way. Aikido is the way of harmonised energy. It is a modern Japanese martial art that teaches peace. They don't punch or kick. They balance and roll. They throw and pin. They meditate and bow. (Even at home to their mothers!) I can't tell you how this study has called forth confidence, concentration, and a general air of centerdness in our shy fellow. So we were off to the dojo for a class today.

As I was watching and knitting from the sidelines a beautiful thing happened. Our daughter learned to knit. Just Like That. All at once today. I tried to teach her to knit two years ago. She was not ready and both of us ended up frustrated. There has been nary a lesson since. But today she climbed in my lap in a position of harmony. Her hands blended with mine. And she simply absorbed the way. An incredible blooming.

What did I see happening? I saw pride and excitement to be sure. I also saw the rooting of spacial awareness, as in structure and geometry. I saw a math and art class, unschooling style.