These days, my middle name is Maudlin, Mi.
Yes. Foolishly sentimental and emotional.
Perhaps being a Mom does that to me. Although, why not? You loved me as much as, if not more than I love my son, so you’d understand.
Good ol’ unconditional love. It has this freaky habit of superimposing the sweet face I want to see on everything I set my eyes on.
Last week on Friday, I was looking at Aadu’s tiny shoes lined up alongside mine and fondly remembered a similar pair we got for Vidur when he grew out of the ones that made a squeaky sound each time he took a step. Come to think of it, we bought the same model in different sizes until he was almost 10 after which they were no longer available in his size. We called them “prachik” for the velcro strap they came with. So convenient.
As I recalled those shoes, I couldn’t help marveling at the years gone by. Sometimes I find it hard to believe that he is studying on campus, far away from home. I’d be stupid if I said I never considered the possibility, but like all mushy Moms, deep in my heart, I dreaded the thought. The same heart knew it would happen, and that it would have to come to terms with it. But life is not the same without him at home and I suppose I can’t help clinging to the joy of his visits.
But after he leaves, I become a crybaby every time I see the empty pillow on his bed, with the impression of his head and visualize his serene sleeping face, sometimes smiling as he had a pleasant dream.
I feel choked when I wait for the milk to boil in the morning and realize I have absent-mindedly set out his favorite glass and spooned Horlicks into it.
♥
I miss the argument over the day’s menu and his excitement when I say I am going to make one of his favorite dishes.
I miss bribing him to come shopping with me and coming back home laden with bags, with him insisting on carrying everything. Now shopping is so boring with half those items off the list.
My eyes fill up when I step into the “pantry” and see the pack of BhelPuri which we had planned to make but didn’t have time to. I check the date and feel just a little better, because I can make it when he visits next.
I look at my phone’s homescreen and the Freshmenu app looks so lonely and forlorn because it knows it isn’t going to see any action for the next six months.
♥
I open the fridge to get something and see the half empty bottle of Hershey’s chocolate syrup and stand there for a moment, lost in the memory of him getting a layer of milk on his upper lip and slurping his chocolate milkshake.
My eyes move to the leftover bar of chocolate on the top shelf, and I rebelliously imagine finishing it, except I know I won’t.
It is the same with the pack of chocolate cream biscuits in the kitchen shelves. Perhaps I’ll give it to the little girl next door when I see her tomorrow.
The doorbell rings and the newspaper man has to be paid. I put my hand inside my handbag to grab the money and my hands scoop up the cough lozenges he loves so much and pretends to cough just so he can pop one.
♥
I see the half block of cheese and regret not making that dish he loves.
I can never look at pizza, his favorite, without feeling a nostalgic lump in my throat.
I think I’ll splash some water on my face and step into the bathroom and see his toothbrush in the mug with the freakily squeezed paste tube and cant help smiling.
In the corner, the clothes hamper looks expectantly at me and then seems to sigh, because I got nothing for it.
When I step out to go somewhere, I see his flipflops in their wonky angle under the stool.
♥
On his bed, clothes folded, waiting to be put away into his closet
The corner of the dining table has a stack of his books.
By the side of the computer in the study, a bunch of his notes sits. I rifle through it and find snippets of poems, some doodles and math calculations and smile to myself.
When I switch on the TV and find that Friends/Mom/The Mindy Project are on, I miss the sound of his unbridled laughter.
♥
Worst thing is going to the gym and I feel a little silly because my eyes fill up when someone innocently asks, “Where is your son?” I miss how we would grin when we caught each other’s eye in one of the mirror.
I go into the kitchen to make some coffee and the layer of cream on the milk seems to be calling his name. And when I put the milk away at night, oh!
Sury quietly working and suddenly looking up and asking if Vidur has gone to bed, indicating the study, then realizing he isn’t here.
Sigh.
Most of all, I miss the warm hugs and the affectionate banter.
And to think I haven’t even touched the surface of much I miss him!
♥
Rocking the #BarAThon Challenge from 1st to 7th August 2016.
Today’s Day 5 and the prompt is “Tiny Shoes”
I am with Team #CrimsonRush
25 thoughts on “Maudlin”
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This made me smile and git me misty-eyed at the same time, if that is possible. Loved it!
Awww, Vidya, that was simply touching! I am sure when your son goes through your words, he will have a lump in his throat, knowing how much his darling mum misses him at home!
Loved it.. not sure if this is how my mom felt when i had to stay away from home. Still my kids are very young and I am only hoping to get some ‘me’ time if some one babysits them 🙂
Excellent expression in words. Slightly frightened since my son is growing faster and soon I have to write a post like this ……
Jeez! I am gonna dread all this when my teen will be off to college in a handful of years 🙁
Reading the above made me want to treasure his tantrums, his carefree attitude cause he knows mom is around to pick up the mess!
Time flies by….memories shall stay!
xoxo
I can’t say I know how you feel, Vidya, but I can imagine. Even as my son has passed the baby stage, and is into the little boy zone now — I hug him a little tighter each night. Because I want to hold on this, as long as I can.
Hugs! Lots of it, Vids.
I don’t think I need to say more…*lumps in throat*
You and I chatted about this. It is just so difficult when children go away from home. The house and heart feels so empty. Hugs girl!
I couldn’t read this without welling up. Sigh, our kids. We’re blessed to have them. Blessed.
Wow… talk about heartfelt. And if this is just scratching the surface of the emotions, well… wow is all I have to say.
Really touching. Shows how much you miss…
Sadly, Moms & Dads have to go through this.
My eyes welled up. I can’t imagine how I’ll handle it when the girls might have to stay away from home for their higher studies. But I guess it will happen. Like it does with everyone else. Big tight hugs, Vidya! Lots of Love. <3
Sigh! Vidya…this has me all misty-eyed! The inevitable hostel for my daughter was postponed as she got admission into a local college…and I thank my stars everyday when I see her. But it’s a matter of a couple years more and she’ll be whisked away from me for further studies! I can’t bear to think of how life will be without my darling angel! Hugs and love my dear.
Awesome piece!!! Can’t say more
Vidya sending you a warm hug and hoping it will make you feel a wee bit better. I cannot even begin to imagine what it will be like. It’s just too quiet when they’re gone, isn’t it? The same quiet that I yearn for when they are around.
Sigh! Life is tough, isn’t it? Imagine what he must be feeling, he must be missing you too. I used to bunk classes when I was in 11th and 12th and go home to be with Mom. And after that, I miss doing that. I miss rushing back to mom and not having her in the same city is something that I hate. But I know, in some years, I’ll bring them here. So, until then, I need to manage with a few visits a year.
Reading this post I realized, another decade and I may be sailing the same boat…
Emotions are resonant. Reading this post I realized, another decade and I may be sailing the same boat… Keep going strong!! Yay!!
Vidya, your post touched my soul. My son too is away since the last 1.5 years and I haven’t seen him in all this time. I miss him like crazy and am going to Canada to meet him next month. You have covered everything from my list about missing my son 🙂 Mothers are built that way, emotional and loving unconditionally. Loved your post <3
Loved it! Emotions so beautifully placed. Thanks for sharing this wonderful and heart warming story with us. 🙂
I dread the day my son will venture out to live his life independent of his mom. I miss him even when he’s late home from University. Sigh – we mom’s are like that.
Oh my god, Vidya…I love you for this post! I have been visualising and dreading all of these things happening to me when my son goes to college next year, only difference being that he plans to go abroad. So it doesn’t look like he’s going to visit as often. My eyes went moist reading your post and I have gooseflesh even as I’m typing this. Big warm hugs to you!
You made me cry Vidya 🙁 This is exactly what happens to me when I’m home I suddenly realize that my brother is away from home… I just can’t stop the tears when that happens. Do you think they understand how much we miss them?
ohh Vidya… this is so heartwarming!! How do you always find exactly what to say… It’s just so beautiful. And I know this is how my mom feels too.
Aww Vidya Big Hugs coming your way! Im going to treasure as many moments with my kiddo after reading this.