It was his graduation day (farewell ) at school (Feb 14) and he was to be dressed in formals. In a blazer and tie he looked dapper - my son. I could’nt resist uploading his pic on my whatsapp profile and my status read “ The other man in my life” …and a few minutes from then I got whatsapp messages from friends and relatives complimenting him and a few more said they refuse to believe that he looks so grown up.
And my reply to them “Haan, patha hi nahi chalta, bacchein kab badein ho jaate hain” ( yes, don't know when the kids grow big)
Seriously, this is one sweet bitter moment in any parents life. I did’nt relate when many of my young friends were lamenting that their babies were becoming “big” and going to kindergarten. I would think the young parents were over reacting and fussing.
But now, suddenly seeing my son in a formal suit and when he said today is his last day of high school( Class X) , I turned wistful. Even going by the facebook posts of his friends parents who turn emotional with “sniff” and “awww”, Like all, I too wonder where the time has gone.
It seems like just yesterday we sought admission in Carmel School Bangalore where his elder sis was studying UKG. At two years and 4 months due to underage he was refused admission. ( 2 years and 6 months is the admission age for ICSE )
Months later when we shifted towns we thought we were lucky and saved our admission amount and we remember asking the CBSE school in Hyderabad to admit him to LKG. The Principal, a visionary and child educationist said, even two months can make a difference in the motor skills of the child and so she said, if we insisted she would take him to LKG but it would be better if he were in nursery and thus started his education in this school at 3 years.
Yesterday, seeing him in suit and boot, i suddenly recalled the firstday of his school and the rocking horse that I have related here. 13 years have gone by since then....where during every PTM he has made me only proud and the previous class teachers would say " I miss him in my class" and it is more heartening to see his teachers who have been transferred to different cities( most of them are naval officer's wives and so get transferred) wish him on FB even now.( He has not been a topper in class but his teachers would acknowledge his intelligence and as a parent, I am so proud he has never been to any private tuitions so far and has done well in his studies and sports.
And my reply to them “Haan, patha hi nahi chalta, bacchein kab badein ho jaate hain” ( yes, don't know when the kids grow big)
Seriously, this is one sweet bitter moment in any parents life. I did’nt relate when many of my young friends were lamenting that their babies were becoming “big” and going to kindergarten. I would think the young parents were over reacting and fussing.
But now, suddenly seeing my son in a formal suit and when he said today is his last day of high school( Class X) , I turned wistful. Even going by the facebook posts of his friends parents who turn emotional with “sniff” and “awww”, Like all, I too wonder where the time has gone.
It seems like just yesterday we sought admission in Carmel School Bangalore where his elder sis was studying UKG. At two years and 4 months due to underage he was refused admission. ( 2 years and 6 months is the admission age for ICSE )
Months later when we shifted towns we thought we were lucky and saved our admission amount and we remember asking the CBSE school in Hyderabad to admit him to LKG. The Principal, a visionary and child educationist said, even two months can make a difference in the motor skills of the child and so she said, if we insisted she would take him to LKG but it would be better if he were in nursery and thus started his education in this school at 3 years.
Yesterday, seeing him in suit and boot, i suddenly recalled the firstday of his school and the rocking horse that I have related here. 13 years have gone by since then....where during every PTM he has made me only proud and the previous class teachers would say " I miss him in my class" and it is more heartening to see his teachers who have been transferred to different cities( most of them are naval officer's wives and so get transferred) wish him on FB even now.( He has not been a topper in class but his teachers would acknowledge his intelligence and as a parent, I am so proud he has never been to any private tuitions so far and has done well in his studies and sports.
sports day in UKG(left)
All of them have been instrumental in chiselling him into a fine young man and although wistful that he is growing big, I am happy he is only growing to build bridge towards his dream. All set for his class X boards next month( he turned 16 on jan 26th) and he his more than ready and excited for his next school and his next stage of his life as a secondary school student.
I am so lucky to watch my kids grow and record every meaningful day of their life….even if that means growing away from me.... but it surely is a mixed feeling.
Please convey my congratulations on his graduation. Even when he becomes 100 years old, he is still your baby and you are still his amma.
ReplyDeleteThank you SG and true your words.
Deletecongratulations to you and your son - he sure looks dapper! My daughter starts kinder this year and I'm already wondering how come 'big' she is :) :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Shachi and yes, i now understand that 'Big' feeling:)
DeleteCOngratulationsssssssssssssssssssssss
ReplyDeletereminds me of my school farewelll .. the good old days
Bikram's
Glad it reminded you of your school farewell...yes school days are the 'Good old days' ...so true..Thankyou, Bikram.
DeleteAll the best to your son!
ReplyDeleteAfter we moved to WHitefield our children stayed only for 2 years with us,as our daughter's office was quite far, she shifted out to a place closer to her office, and our son had to go and study his engineering in Suratkal. I am not very emotional as such, but after each of them left, I used to feel a lump in my throat whenever, I came by their rooms, but soon I was alright with their going their separate ways That is life and our children are growing up but still young, have many thing to experience and enjoy, while it is we who have grown so old.
True Rama, they are young and have to experience and enjoy. isn't that the reason we raise and educate them?very true, .maybe with time i too will overcome.... Thank you:)
DeleteCongratulations to the sonny boy and a big hug to the proud mommy! ♥
ReplyDeleteThank you Shilpa and a bear hug right back to you my dear friend:)
Deletesemma nostalgic post :) congrats to junior n a proud mom
ReplyDeleteThank you Gils and nice to see you back here.
Delete