10 February 2017

Today, I was walking past the bus stop where I first taught S how to get home from school by herself. She was a skinny little 10-year old waif, shy and quiet in public. All afternoon I have tried unsuccessfully to remember what school bag she had at the time. But I remember the yellow jeans and the lilac sweater and her hairband. I can see her standing at the bus stop ready to come home just as I taught her during the days in the previous week when we travelled together every day. I am watching from across the road behind that big tree as the bus comes along. She doesn't know I am there but she is doing all the right things, carefully and seriously, the way we had practiced.
In those days, I was probably the one who was scared most.
Come to think of it, I still am.

5 comments:

Colette said...

That child rearing thing was HARD. It is heartwarming to think of you hiding behind a tree to make sure all went well. When my daughter got her driver's license and took the car alone for the first time, I sat on the couch the entire time she was gone, staring out the front window waiting for the car to return.

Ms. Moon said...

Of course. We still are.

Steve Reed said...

I'm not a parent, but I don't doubt that's natural behavior for parents!

Anonymous said...

I like imagining you behind the tree. The most-loving and protective kind of parenting.

37paddington said...

A mother's tale. I can see your earnest, serious girl and you with your heart in your throat, making sure. I have these same memories.