Simple things

Exuberance of the kid is something that awes me endless.

My kid loves to display us (me and my spouse) in front of his friends at school. He loves us to visit his school often. I for one is not a very social person and prefer to keep to myself most of the times. I must admit though that I love to be with kids. My kid was continuously coaxing me to join him at school. Eventually, one day it so happened that I had time off from office but he did not. So, I decided to chime in and go to school, after a long gap of unforgotten years ;)

We go down to school on the bike, his favorite commute means. We reach early and I walk him down to the school. Here starts my grand tour.

As we enter the premises, I was grandly directed to the parking lot; and even warned that I should be parking the other side and not where I parked my bike. Reason, I parked in place where his friend’s dad would park! Oh, oh! I move my bike. On the small walkway to the school is a dense vegetation on either sides. I now get an introduction of all the plants that they hide behind, the spot where they laze for a while during their run around, the deep-inside spot beyond which kids are not supposed to go.

It was about time and other kids are trickling in. I now see my kid jumping about excitedly at the opportunity of introducing me to his friends. To each arriving little one, I get introduced.

Here, I discover my kids versatility with lingua. I get introduced to some as “maaja baba aala”, to some as “see my papa”, to some as “mere papa aayehi”. There were two things that really surprised me. Kids’ ability to figure out the language to switch over to upon seeing the person, and the unbridled excitement in announcing to all of my presence. It was almost an embarrassment for me to see the other parents watching me curiously ;) On the other hand, I basked in the glory of being the trophy on my kids’ hand. After all the kids are in and gathered for the morning assembly, he is gone into his own world and totally forgot my presence. I headed back home leaving him at school.

Long after that I still kept thinking … what makes the kid so excited about my simple bodily presence at the school? Why do I not enjoy as good as a kid at some of the simple things in life – going out with papa, looking at the same set of items and deriving pleasure at showing it to others? When did I stop enjoying these simple things? Even the open display of excitement / emotion (I am no stoic, by the way)? Is there a way I can get back to similar state of mind? I am still searching for answers. May be one day, my/some kid will teach me and I am looking forward to it.