Somewhere post-school, post-college and the professional rat race, summer vacations became a thing of the past. I never really missed them since I was busy shuttling between my city of origin and my adopted cities, still doing the odd travelling. I did not even realise their disappearance till I became a mother, and summer vacations deliciously made their way back into my life.
Though I am a working mother, the month of April holds a special place in my heart nowadays. I am as thrilled as my children are, looking forward to two whole months of the summer vacation. I do not have to wake up in a tearing hurry and scurry to get two reluctant children through the morning ablutions, constantly glancing at the watch, terrified that they would miss the school bus.
Later in the day I play badminton at a leisurely pace and soak in the early morning sights and sounds of the birds clutching two sets of grubby, sand and earth-soaked tiny fingers in both my hands and looking up at the shapes of the clouds and the colours of the sky. I do not have to scold the children for smearing their faces and clothes with mangoes, ice-cream and jamuns. I can laugh freely as they play with water trying to clean themselves up, without fearing that they would catch a cold and fall ill. If I am back early from office, we don’t rush to see homework but try and make it to the community pool or go on long walks and play ball. I find myself transforming from a ruthless keeper of time to a more relaxed and smiling person. Such are the joys of a summer vacation!
We spend long hours discussing our annual trip to my city of origin, and the places in and around that we could pack into a trip within a trip, doubling the fun and enjoyment. Of course, the days before we leave on our holiday are by far the best. I too become a child again, since I take a few days off work too! The excitement heightens as bags are packed and unpacked multiple times. The food and drinks for the journey are decided by the children, and we go through the itinerary multiple times.
Finally, on D-day the excitement peaks as we make our way home to loving hearts that have been waiting for months for our arrival. And all too soon, the days fly past and we are back. Sometimes the schools delay reopening due to the heat or some civil work and we get a few more stolen days of fun. But days are no match for the carefree days of the beginning of the summer holidays.
Once again we get back to the routine, refreshed of course and sad nevertheless.
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