He would be five years old in a few months. His teachers at the daycare center said he was smart for his age, among the brightest in the class. And they were excellent teachers, surrounded by degrees and professional accreditation. It was a large facility, stimulating and creative, with a low adult-to-child ratio. Tim was comfortable there.
Putting Tim in daycare was the hardest thing imaginable, but as a single mom she had little choice. Fortunately, she found an arrangement that made it easier.
Shortly after returning to California, Anita left Your Resources, took some time off to be with Tim, and then began a new job hunt.
Her criteria had changed since she left college. The job she now sought had little to do with money or power. She focused on companies that were known for a family-friendly work environment.
She found what she was looking for at Huber, a large technology corporation twenty minutes away, near Sacramento. The company had flexible hours, family-oriented policies, and generous benefits. Best of all, they had a quality, on-site daycare center. Tim was never more than five minutes away.
She visited him at lunch. She snuck over on breaks. Then she initiated a project that would allow her to check up on him as often as she wanted.
Anita’s new job put her in charge of the company’s intranet. One of her first brainstorms was placing webcams in the daycare center so that employees could check on their children online. The other parents who used the center rallied behind her, and soon Anita’s proposal became a reality.
In the beginning, she surfed to the site constantly, or kept it minimized in a small box in the corner of her screen. She always found him busy, playing, interacting, well treated, happy. Her compulsive watching got in the way of her work, but over time she learned to trust the center and check up on him less frequently.
Sometimes she touched his image on the monitor, drawing strength from the connection. His smiles kept her going through the day.
Anita’s boss had two daughters and a thorough understanding of the demands of family. She gave Anita total trust and flexibility to adjust her work schedule for Tim’s needs, whether it be colds or counseling appointments. In fact, she grew angry when employees with families worked long hours. It was the first truly 9-to-5 job Anita had ever experienced.
She had plenty of time to share with Tim. He was the center of her life. She would wrap him up in love and truth and protection. She would never take him for granted.
When she had finished flipping through the photographs, Anita could sense Tim was growing restless. He was watching some of the other kids at the park. They were running, chasing, and tumbling. In particular, he was focused on a sturdy tree with low branches that had become something of a jungle gym for several of the children.
“Hey,” he said. “Can I go climb the tree?”
She examined the tree, then nodded.
“Sure, if that’s what you want to do.”
“Yeah,” he said, standing up, rising from the blanket.
“Then we’ll go get sandwiches for lunch,” she said. “In about fifteen minutes?”
He was off scrambling for the tree now.
“Tim…” she cried out.
He stopped and turned to look back at her.
“Be careful, honey,” she told him.
“OK, Mom,” he replied, and then he resumed his dash for the tree.
OK, Mom. It didn’t sink in right away, but when it did, it struck her hard. It was a turning point. His tone had shifted. He had called her Mom before, but this was different. This time he said Mom naturally, without hesitation, without awkwardness or concentration or self-consciousness.
He was returning.
Nearby, the sunny sounds of Motown played on somebody’s boombox. The wind rippled the grass. Anita felt a sudden, unexpected moment of transcendental calm. She soaked it in before it moved on. She had a good feeling that there would be more moments like this.
Today was another victory. Anita watched her son tackle the tree and begin to climb. He was fast and determined. Two of the smaller children watched with envy as Tim made his ascent.
He looked so grown up right then. At ease with the world. Anita couldn’t help but smile.
He’s a magical boy, she thought to herself. He will endure. He’s going to grow up strong, a survivor. Just like his mother.
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