Story date: September 4 2009.
Tom had an uneasy start to his first year, often manifested in homesickness. After a long and very family-filled summer holiday, returning to school was never going to be easy, both for him and the rest of the family at home. Just like last year we put off visiting for the first few days and collected him at the weekend.
I guess all boys respond to leaving home in different ways; Tom gets homesick but it doesn't last. On talking to the nurses and other CPs (always a good idea), we learn that other and older boys are effected too. Still, when a tired and tearful chorister doesn't want to 'go back to school, it's really tough.
On reflection, his first week was also affected by an additional friday evening concert the boys performed in town. This was certainly 'extra-curricular' and an amazing occasion, but the boys were tired. Friday is normally a lighter day (no evensong for 3rd desks), giving them a break before the full-on weekend; but this first Friday was different and it meant no visiting was possible.
Saturday I collected him and he was home for a few hours (this would turn out to be the weekend pattern) and I'd take him back for Saturday afternoon Evensong. Then Sunday would be very special, at Evensong he, along with his two fellow Probationers, would be 'made up' to full-choristers...
Comments