Bye Bye Therese

Well, today was the day. The last day of an over three year nanny-share with our beloved nanny, Therese. Kyle was in rare form or actually quite typical form: shouting, spitting water, rolling around on the floor, throwing stuff, shouting some more. Austin admonished alongside Therese, “no, Kyle, no.”

Therese has cared for our son better than we could have imagined. As I have said repeatedly, at the end of the day, what I realized I needed in a nanny, Therese taught me: someone who was going to love our son. Taking care of him every day is something Therese did, because it was her job. However, the above and beyond care that she provided was because she loved him dearly. Each morning since she began, she came into the house, washed her hands and then Austin would give her a hug and they each said good morning. This may sound ordinary, but it established love, respect and routine all in one simple gesture. Tonight, when Austin was struggling on his own in the bathroom and we were encouraging him to figure it out on his own, he said, “Therese says, ‘First try it yourself and if you can’t do it, I will help you.’” Well, why didn’t we think of that phrase?

In her way, she disciplined Austin and of course Kyle. Clear authority with the patience of the saint she is named after. For instance, she walked in the other day and Austin had his “baby” in his mouth. We have not been so strict about the pacifier and it has become a deeply entrenched habit/addiction. One word from Therese and he took it out without hesitation or complaint.

Each day for the past three years she got the boys ready, packed up the yellow bag with fruit, snacks and water and headed out in the double green stroller. When we bought that stroller I was so afraid that if we bought one of the types with one kid in the front and one in back that Therese would somehow forget that Austin was there, because Kyle being Kyle would dominate all of her attention. I insisted on the side by side double stroller. As if Therese could ever forget Austin or miss a single moment! She was a juggler of babies and toddlers and little boys. Kyle usually demanded more attention or demanded attention more loudly, but Therese never let Austin feel forgotten. I never once came in the door in the evening and worried that he was neglected. On the contrary, he’d bound over to meet me, happy as a clam and eager to share details of his day with Therese and Kyle.

Their routine was that on Mondays it was story time at the 7^th Street NE Library and on Thursdays it was Boogie Babes at Eastern Market. On cold or rainy days, they sought refuge in Sherwood Recreation Center. Every other day it was to Lincoln Park or one many playgrounds in the neighborhood. They were back for lunch and then nap time. They ended the day playing in the house or across the street at Miner.

Today we exchanged some gifts and promises to keep in touch. The adults in the room shed a tear, truly feeling the end of such an important and beloved era and truly grateful for this wonderful woman. The two boys ripped through presents from Therese and scarfed down cupcakes in her honor (but mostly in theirs). They barely skipped a beat as they hugged their cherished nanny Therese and parted ways tonight as if tomorrow would be no different.