I started my nannying job today and found my excitement increasing as I waited at the kids' school near an open gate to the yard. The sun was shining and the cool air carried little voices of children waiting for their parents to pick them up. An airplane flew overhead, something I associate with grade school. I used to sit inside the classroom looking through the box fan in the window to the sunny outside where planes flew overhead or lawnmowers passed back and forth. The smell of cut grass and paste were favorites of mine.
Nicole had the biggest smile when she saw me. I guess she'd been telling everyone at school that she has a new nanny. Eric was kinda shy at first. He's a really cute kid, a little nerdy in his glasses and uneven teeth. I fell in love with them the second I saw them. Nicole changed from her school uniform into her pink ballet attire while Eric and I talked about books he likes. "Too much detail bores me," he explained. These two kids are going to be my closest pals during the next nine months. I am so excited to pack lunches and help with homework and make dinner and... be a mom. That's what it boils down to after all. Nannying for Nicole and Eric gives me a glimpse into the future.
At Christmas, my dad gave us a book of poems he wrote. A line from one of his poems entitled "Black and Yellow Butterflies" says -
"Children are like butterflies
Clinging sideways to your finger
They fold their wings, they spread their wings
A little dust of color lingers"
I feel the same about childhood itself. And now I get to flit about with some butterflies, maybe turn into one myself for awhile.
"Black and yellow butterflies
Flutter by, flutter by
Black and yellow butterflies
Flutter by, flutter by
Flutter by, bye, bye"
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