When Son goes to school..

Life changes.

You wake up early.

First few days can be tiring - anxiety primarily. You never know how his day went till you ask the teacher. One day he is fine and the next day he isn't. The good thing: it's just few days. Then it's all fine.

Son and I make interesting and important decisions like which colour hand towel to take and what to pack in the snacks box.

Advice escapes you like the easiest thing on earth. Deals are struck. Be a good boy tomorrow! Don't fight with others! If you want something ask your teacher! Enjoy, school is fun. See there are no friends at home, they are there only at school! (And after that, the boy peeps into each room to figure out if there's someone at all; you see part of the exercise!)

Pride. When he gets his first hand print home.

Nursery rhymes - old ones revisited; new ones learnt - not just son but momma too!
Interesting conversations on the way back. Ma, today that boy did this; that girl cried; I didn't cry. I was a good boy, Amma. Stories of colours painted; crayons used. Places visited - the music room, play area/sand pit; cycling in the ground; catch the ball!

More than anything, the wide-eyed big-grin face that I spot most easily among the sea of faces when I go to pick him up; the relief of finding him again after two hours, all safe; the way he pushes his way through to me, the 'amma lift me' and that small kiss on the cheek!

Ah, the many memorable moments in the lives of a mother and her school going son! :)

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Quick update 1: If you love the written word, then you must check out the July issue of Spark. The writer of the month is Paritosh Uttam, Author of 'Dreams in Prussian Blue' published under Metro Reads by Penguin.
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