nursery school then college, or so it seems

It may be hard to understand if you don’t live in New York City, but there is a whole lot of ridiculousness surrounding schools here.  Getting in early to the right school is an obsession of many city parents.

Alexander was just two months shy of his third birthday when he started nursery school at Shaaray Tefila.

 

September, 1995

There were six boys in his class and they all became friends.  I remember the two-week breaking in period where moms were allowed to stay for shorter and shorter periods of time.  They called it separation.  That was never a problem for my son.  He was ready to say his tearless good-bye on day one. 

I am running errands this morning and bump into Nina, a single mother I met when I was 7 months pregnant and looking for an apartment.  She had a six-year-old son, and was a better mother than I’d ever be.  She gave her son the bedroom and she lived in the living room.  I still remember this about her.  We never became friends, but occasionally we’ll see each other on the streets with a promise to get together that never happens.  Her son is now 27 and a lieutenant in the army. 

I walk a little further and see another mother I casually know.  Her son graduated Horace Mann with Alexander.  I pretend not to see her, as I know I’d be in a half hour conversation if I did, hearing all about her brilliant son’s exploits and internships and save-the-world projects.  I keep walking.

I then see this adorable and common site.  

A group of nursery school kids all dressed in red coats, connected by the rope they are holding.  

They don't realize how quickly that rope will disappear and they'll be on their own.  College is right around the corner.