Comic Relief

The plan was to pick Hari from the library on the way back home from Ram’s karate class. All I know is I turned NPR on and got totally engrossed in it until I hit the turn closer to our home. “We forgot to pick Hari, can you text him that we are on the way,” I asked the child seated in the backseat who does not have a phone but takes immense delight in using one. As though he heard us right that instant, Hari called. 

Ram: Sorry Hari, although you are not a forgettable person, we forgot to pick you. 

Hari: Thanks Ram, that’s the nicest thing you have said to me in a long time. 

Much needed comic relief at the end of the day! 

Last month Ram crossed over from being a cub scout to being a boy scout. It was a low key intimate ceremony where the Arrow of Light scouts were celebrated for their hard work. Kudos to his Den leaders who were nurturing and went above and beyond to help them meet their requirements in less than ideal circumstances. 

Ram had his first camping trip this weekend as a boy scout. His very first overnight camp, without either Da or I. The house felt a little empty without our kadai kutty and all conversations eventually revolved around him. We cracked up recalling his antics and pranks.  

He came home this morning, cold and cranky. “You guys don’t know how lucky you are to sleep on your queen beds when it is so cold out there” We have been pestering for details but the child has been throwing us some crumbs here and there. They cooked their own food  (or in his words, “pretty much”). He had to attend to nature’s call a few times but it was ok, not a big deal.

The first of the many more camping trips to come.