Hi Sweet Titus,
I wanted to take a minute and make a little note to you. Today was your first day back to school in four weeks! You had two weeks off for winter break and the two weeks before that you were off because I tested positive for Covid-19 and so we quarantined the whole family at home. We had a great 4 weeks with a lot of quality time together, which made today a little rough. It broke my heart to drop you off today when you had tears in your eyes and kept saying, "I don't want to leave you." I couldn't tell you that I didn't want to leave you either, so I decided to just type it here. I had separation anxiety as a kid and I remember how sad I was to leave my mom on school days, especially after long breaks, and I hated that you had to feel that way today. Truth be told I also kind of loved knowing that you would miss me because I knew how much I would miss you too.
I also wanted to put a note in about an interaction we had this weekend that I want to remember because I think it captures your sweet and kind character. We were all in the minivan going to a hike and dad and I were talking about teachers doing a "sick out" at work to protest in person schooling during the pandemic. Dad and I are both pretty mad that teachers are doing that and I imagine you picked up on that in the conversation. We pulled up to the state park where we were going to hike and I saw an older lady with gray hair who was working there. I said, "look at her, she didn't get to do a sickout and she is at much higher risk than those teachers!" I don't think you understood what I was saying (I was talking to your dad) but I think you interpreted me to be angry at the lady. You remained quiet as we pulled up and I spoke to the lady. As we pulled away, you sweetly said, "well she was really nice at least, mom." I thought it was so precious the way you quietly observed all that was said and then formed your own opinion and spoke up for the lady, even though it didn't really benefit you in any way to do so. I hope you continue to do that as you grow up and I hope that others recognize the genuine goodness in you.
I love you so much.
Mommy
