My Child is Graduating High School

When the wings are strong, the birds no more remain in the nest, and they fly to the world of freedom. For the last one year, I have been preparing my mind for the inevitable-that our son will attain the new dimensions to lead an independent life and will not be able to share the joy of our company on day to day basis. His Mom is never tired of preparing special eats and makes the reverse counting of each month, week and days. He likes cakes, special cakes that she makes without eggs! He has taken to vegetarianism for the last one year and you may like to know how did this transformation take place? That is an interesting story. In a symposium on good food habits held at his high school, he happened to listen to a lecture on the merits of vegetarianism and about the cruelty inflicted on birds and animals for their flesh. I appreciate the determination of this boy-from that day onwards he has never touched an egg! Just to boost his morale, his Mom did a short-term course on oriental food. Are you surprised? Dosas, idlis, sambar etc. are quite common items of our food now.

Mom is worried about his food. But he promises that he will find some suitable outlets at Hyderabad where he will take admission in a college for his graduation and he would like to pursue the course in architecture. "I wish to design, not five-star hotels and palatial buildings for the super-rich but small beautiful houses for the middle class," he asserts. "I wish to add new dimensions to the housing concept!"

"True values," is his favorite phrase. Be it education, parenting or any field of activity. One must stick to one's true values and perform actions that are agreeable to one's inner world. We have specially bought an engraved plate in brass which he will keep on his study table: It reads, "HAVE A WILL TO GROW AND GROW YOU WILL!" Our only dream is our son should shape as a noble individual. Today we need in the society, not big projects but noble individuals to implement them efficiently and honestly.

What shall we do when our son leaves for his hostel? Life will be tough, but we will communicate with him often. That is the only hope. He has promised to spend his vacation with us. Parting is a tough option; but we don't see any other alternative.