The woman I clean for on Mondays and Thursdays has two adorable children; a three-year- old boy, who is sweet and funny, and a 6- month- old girl. This little one sleeps in ten minutes snatches, has a smile and a laugh that would warm Scrooges heart. I knew this child before she was born and saw her when she was only a few days old.
Today when I went to clean the bathroom after her mother had given her a bath and found the tub still full of water. Not the little tub her mother has been using, the regular tub.
"She's growing up." I thought to myself.
Later her mother asked me to clean the baby tub. "I'm going to put it upstairs."
"Sure" I thought. I almost always did, but today I hadn't as the big tub was used.
I got out the cleaner and the sponge and set in to work; and I felt this odd little tug at my heart. The bathtub is no longer part of her life, or my life.
"She is growing up."
I feel sort of Auntish toward her, and her brother, watching them grow and change. Today, the little boy pulled out his new crayons and showed me, promising to draw me a picture using them. He's invited me to go swimming in his pool with him, showed off his new Tzitit (fringed garment worn by men, donned normally after a chid is toilet trained/or three), showed me his reward chart. The little girl favors me with her smiles, finds comfort sometimes in my arms.
It is a sweet experience for me.;the privilege without the work; one of the benefits of the job I do.
How wonderful to be able to enjoy these children without the work of raising them. I am waiting for my sister to get married and have a child so that I can have the same experience...lol.You can love them and then leave them to be enjoyed on another day.
I guess I didn't realize little boys were as young as 3 when they begin to wear Tzitit.(? or is it Tzitzit? I don't think I have ever had cause to write this word until now.)So as soon as they are potty trained they start wearing it? That's quite interesting. Thanks for teaching me something new today.
Posted by: Robin P at August 26, 2004 12:59 PMKind of like an honorary aunt.
Posted by: RP at August 26, 2004 02:30 PMHow sweet that they invite you to be part of their life as well. It's not just that you get to experience their path in this world, but that they invite you along on their journey. Lovely. Really, really lovely.
Posted by: Linda at August 26, 2004 03:20 PMI think its hard to see anyones kids grow so fast, even if they arent yours. I know it about kills me to think I was 13 when my oldest nephew was born and now hes 18 and a high school graduate. I was in tears the day he graduated. So needless to say I know EXACTLY how you're feeling! I go thru it with my OWN kids, infact! (((hugs))) Oh p/s I will be in touch tomorrow about your site... I'm excited to fix it up for you!! YAY!! : )
Posted by: Ro at August 27, 2004 01:17 AMI never thought I'd be saying that kids grow up so fast. When we were kids it felt like it took forever! Now I look at my nephew and can hardly believe he's 11. Almost seems like last week he was 4 and painting with his watercolors.
Posted by: Tuning Spork at August 28, 2004 09:04 PM