Monday, December 08, 2008

Adventures in Nannyland


When I graduated from college and entered the workforce I never imagined my path would lead me to what was for the last year-and-a-half-- my dream job. nanny.

No, never saw that one coming.

I worked at a regional paper/magazine when I graduated but it didn't quite do it for me. So there I was living in smallish town Montana, with low job satisfaction, unfamiliar surroundings, and few established social outlets. I was a bit of a sad girl- just ask Dashing Boy.

Then finally one day I stopped, analyzed my situation and asked myself- What would make you happy? If you could be doing any job right now what would that be? What is it going to take to make you fall in love with this town?

The answer came easier than I expected.
I want to be with children. I want to be a nanny.

It was a powerful decision. One year. That's what I would do. I would be a nanny for one year and find happiness in my town and life and self.

I had no idea how true that would be.

I looked at that one year as being sort of a break from it all- I had worked hard in college, taking 18 credit hours every semester. I graduated in just 3 1/2 years. And I was burnt out.

I needed to simplify.

What better way to do that than to spend solid quality time with a 9-month-old? Everyday through Belle's eyes I saw beauty in the simplest of things. I got to be part of many of her greatest milestones- crawling, walking, talking, eating, singing.

The world is magical and beautiful- sometimes it just takes a little perspective to see that.

Being a nanny gave me perspective.

I learned and grew more in that year (and a half - I just couldn't resist) than I think I ever would have in any professional career.

This last week I got to be nanny again- well something like that. And in an Arizona airport I waited for two of my best friends to arrive. When I first saw Belle she looked at me a little confused but with knowing in her eyes. Then, suddenly, she threw herself into my arms and this busy, restless two-year-old laid her head on my shoulder and held on tight for a solid ten minutes.

I held on tight too-so happy. Happy for friendship and love and children and airplanes, and a small choice that changed my life.

oh, and I did fall in love love love with Montana.

2 comments:

Natalie | Make Today Great said...

you know, it's hard to find a niche -- I think whatever makes you happy is the most important!

MEvans said...

It's amazing what a little time with little people can do.