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Mitul Seth (wife ofVivek Seth 915 JB '82), A Mother's Journey at the Doon School Mother of Sharan Seth (437 J '12) and Shivaan Seth (37 J '14) Almost eight years ago on an April morning, my family piled into the S UV for a 240 kilometer ride out of Delhi. But this was a trip with a difference. It was not one of the many driving holidays we had taken together over the years to nearby destinations. Sharan was starting his life as a 7th grader at the Doon School, his father's alma mater. Joining Doon was an eventuality he had absorbed from childhood, probably before he could even comprehend it. In the boot was a freshly painted metal trunk with "Sharan Seth, 437-]" marked on it. My heart felt as heavy as that trunk at the thought of what lay ahead. Vivek and Mitul Seth flanked by Sharan [L] and Shivaan As we stopped at the barrier before a railway crossing to allow a passing train, I glanced out of the window to see a mirror image of ourselves: an S UV with parents, a pensive lad and a trunk in the boot. The young boy and I exchanged a smile and I asked him, "Doon School?" He nodded shyly. There and then began a series of associations, with boys, their parents and teachers, leading to friendships that seem to be here to stay. Sharan's words on that first day at Doon ring in my ears even today. Sprinting down the steps of Foot House after all his belongings had been checked and 24l Rose Bowl January 2014 deposited, he said to me, "How can anyone be homesick in a place like this?" I looked at him adoringly and tried to soak in some of his enthusiasm but with minimal success! It was as if he had been waiting his entire life for this day and could not wait to get on with whatever was in store for him. The tea time snacks seemed unappetising to me, as the impending goodbye loomed large. I held back my tears and remembered the advice of an experienced Doon School mom, "Put a stone on your heart and let him go. " Soon began the cycle of outings, night-outs, emails sharing good news about a goal scored or a hot water bath, about achievements and an equal number of disappointments, as is the case in all our lives' journeys. The difference here was that everything became precious and our family experienced acloseness like never before. Every email ended with a "Love you ", every phone conversation was cherished, every hour spent together on an outing was filled with hugs, kisses and bonding time, especially for the two brothers living apart. Two years later, we undertook the same journey with another trunk in the boot, as Shivaan joined Doon. This time it seemed easier for us all. Shivaan had been silently getting prepared for life at Doon, by listening to his brother's stories on the outings. But nothing had prepared him for that feeling of missing home, or me for an empty nest. Having Sharan around helped Shivaan settle in faster, and Jaipur House became their home. The brothers' common love of sports threw them together on the field repeatedly and they thrived with every match they played, in every sport. The vacuum in my life was soon replaced with the joy of watching them flourish together. Their progress became a matter of great delight. The day they were both awarded the

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