Enjoying Our Kids' Childhood

I remember so distinctly even now of the aged rickshaw puller who would come to fetch my sons to school.

At 9am both will be waiting in neat and crisp white shirt with navy blue half pants, black shoes and a red and blue tie. Their hair swept back to look smart. They would carry books weighing more than 5 kgs on their backs plus the plastic bag containing a lunch box, a snacks' box and a bottle of water in hand would complete the picture.

I and mom will be at the gate to see them both off to school. We would watch them climb up and then turn back to wave bye-bye as the rickshaw sped away briskly. That sight would always bring tears to my eyes just watching them say bye-bye to go to school each morning.

Come evening, we will be ready for them with biscuits, sweets, peppermints, peanut-jaggery candy popularly called the kadala urundai in small cups and plates and a glass of milk. They would open up their homework and finish it off while snacking.
When I ask them what they remember about their childhood they would say they remember eating those biscuits, chocolates, etc while doing their school homework.

They won a bicycle as a prize in some slogan writing contest when they were in their 5th grade. They learnt to ride the bicycle very fast. Soon after they wanted me to pillion ride and when I did I had tears in my eyes. I can never forget the first joyride each son gave me on their bikes when they were barely 10 years old.

I enjoyed seeing them grow along the years.
I had to take up projects and freelance a lot to be able to do that. I am happy with whatever I have seen and experienced of my sons.
My children have been and continue to be my greatest teachers.

I have learnt a lot through their questions.
I have learnt to be a lot more patient because of them.
I have learnt from them the value of being silent in times of pressure.
I have taught them what I knew - in good faith. But I have learnt more from them than what I could teach them.
I still continue to learn from them but now it is online :D

Happy learning.
Mahalakshmi