Old Friends

September 22, 2014

Another day, trying to establish routines, keep a clean home, make a healthy dinner, visit with friends, teach my children to be kind to each other, clean up after themselves, potty in the toilet, manage bills and figure out where all the money goes.

I have a dear friend. She is most special to me because she took care of my oldest son for 6 months when he was a baby. My son was born as I was finishing occupational therapy school. I had finished all my classes, but had 6 months of clinicals to complete before I could take the national board test and receive my license to practice. I was torn because I wanted so bad to be a full time stay at home mom to my new little man.

I treasured every moment the first 5 months of his life before leaving him every day for most of the day. I dreaded it. I missed being the one to see him do all his "firsts." For the first years of all children's lives, there are "firsts" daily, or weekly. They lift their head, make eye contact, smile, say "mama" and "dada", roll over, sit up, crawl, say other first words and phrases, cruise, walk, sing a song, say a prayer, eat new things, say the strangest and funniest things, learn the ABCs, colors, who Jesus is. I did not want to miss a moment. BUT.....I knew that I had started something that I needed to finish and that it would be worth it. I did not want to put my son in daycare because I wanted him to have the one-on-one care the same as I would provide. I was going to be working full-time, not being paid and actually having to pay for the credits.

Rachael was the answer to all my prayers. She was a young college student, not married and had no children. She LOVED children and had a reputation for being an amazing babysitter and nanny. She also refused to take more than $100 a month. She loved my son, sang to him, played with him, kept his routine. When she was in class, another young girl, 16 years old, who was finishing her high school education as a home school student, would watch him. It worked perfectly.

I saw Rachael today for the first time in 7 years. It was wonderful. She has two beautiful young daughters and is expecting her third little girl.

There are so many people that touch our lives and bless our lives. I hope we all take the time to thank those people and tell them how much we care for and appreciate them.