I know how this goes. I've been here myself, in her shoes. Sometime around the 2-3 year mark things change and it's time to move on. Still, when I think of my last week with each of the children I nannied, my heart fills my throat and my eyes prick up with tears. I know how this goes.
But this side of things is new to me. The one watching the leaving. It's so much harder than I ever could have thought it was. I didn't know what it's like to trust someone with your child, as we do Kathy. I didn't know what it's like to worry about your child missing their life long friend. I didn't know what it was like to feel a sense of gratitude that no amount of money can amount to. I didn't know what it was like to hope the world for her, but most of all hope she remembers these years that were the most precious to us.
We met Kathy walking to a friends for breakfast. Henry found her. Literally. She was outside watering her yard, he hopped off his push car and hobbled over to her like he knew her. That was it. She's been a part of our lives, every Thursday, for the past two years…the past two amazing years. Through our move, Henry morphing into a toddler, then my pregnancy, and Ben, and now Hen turning into a boy. She's been there for us 100% while also holding down another job and full time nursing school. She's just passed her boards and is a nurse, and of course she is, she is the kindest, most hard working gal ever! And with that, our Mary Poppins is off to help other children, in the best way possible.
We will miss her smile, her energy, her laugh, her love for our kids, we will miss her friendship.
But I know now this goes, she's a Yeomans now. If ever she needed us, for anything, we are here. Like in my past, I found love, and ear to listen, a flower girl for our wedding, and extended families that I would do anything for, and I feel they would do the same for me. My heart aches to say goodbye, but I know how this goes. It's just till next time.
Thank you Kathy, for being our everything in so many ways. We love you dearly. Always.
