My Morning Heartbreak

Luke came and climbed up in my bed this morning, wrapped his warm little arms around my neck and said, "Mom, can I stay home with you today?" I explained to his big blue eyes that he had to go to school because we believe in following the rules of our country and the law says he has to go to school for one more day this week. He seemed okay with that and pulled his fingers through my tangled hair. After a while we decided it was time to get up, get dressed, and get some food down our throats before heading off to his school. We did so without much haste, distress, or drama.
One hour later would spell a different story. Out the door, backpack on, loaded in the van, down the road, school bell ringing impending doom for my little man. He gave me a big hug and cried, "Don't leave me here, Mom. I will miss you too much!" Trying to hold back the tears in my own eyes I hugged him tighter and told him I'd be back before he knew it and would have treats waiting for him at home. He shuffled back to the line of fidgety kids with his head down and lip sticking out to mumble the pledge. That being done, he followed the leader to the door of his classroom where he stopped, looked at me with those sweltering blue eyes and mouthed, "I love you, Mommy" before he put his head back down, began dragging his feet again and the door closed behind him.
I thought my heart was going to implode. I bawled like a baby all the way back to my car, the other kid's moms looking on sympathetically. I don't think my Luke knows that it's just as hard for me to let him go as it is for him to leave me. One hour and seven minutes to go until I can get my little heart throb back.