My Nanny

When I was growing up, my mom was a single parent and she worked very late. She usually left work by six, but with the long commute, she wouldn't arrive home until six or seven in the evening. Of course, she didn't like me be at home alone after school, and she wasn't very trusting of random babysitters, so she brought a nanny from Bolivia to come live with us. My nanny would look after me, make sure I ate well, and would do some house chores. This is a very common practice in Hispanic culture, and the nanny almost always becomes very dear and part of the family. It was no different for us.

My nana Maruja came to live with us when I was just 8 years old. I had a couple of other nannies before, but they didn't work out. We didn't expect Maruja to be as wonderful as she turned out to be. She was so caring and loving with me, very cooperative with my mother's instructions, and easy to get along with. She gained my mom's trust and my affection in no time. When we moved to Florida, she came with us. At that time, my mom began working for my brother-in-law during tax season and would leave me and my nana for 3 months out of the year to go to her yearly job in Virginia. Maruja was like my second mother. She was my confidant; because my mom was extremely overprotective of me, it was easier to talk to my nana about boys I had crushes on and things of that nature. She also covered up for me when I wasn't being the most obedient child, and she almost never told on me.

When Maruja first arrived in this country, she didn't speak a word of English. This really helped me to master speaking Spanish. We became and are still very close, even until this day. She has so many amazing attributes. She is humble and serving. She is faithful and loyal; she stayed with us through the worst financial times, even when there were better job offers for her. She was my mother's closest friend and cried with her and prayed with her through our hardships. She would wake up everyday at the break of dawn to read her Bible and pray upon her knees. She still prays for me. She cooked the most delicious meals. She had a spirit of excellence; and everything she did, she would do wholeheartedly the best she possibly could.

When I turned 18 and had graduated from high school, I was obviously way passed the need for a babysitter, but she was not that any longer... She was family. However, when I decided to move north to my sister's house, she decided to stay in Florida. I took it kind of personal and felt a bit rejected by her for not staying with the us, but I was still young, scared, and selfish. Time would teach me that it was her right to have a life and family of her own, and I wouldn't want anything less than her absolute happiness. I just missed her so. A few years later, Maruja got married in her late 40's. God blessed her with a man that adores her and values her the way she deserves. She has not had biological children, but she has always considered me her daughter, and I really am! She also knows and has been a part of my nephews' and niece's lives, and I can't wait till she meets and helps me with my babies when I have them!! She definitely has left her mark on many lives and continues to do so. She has especially been a blessing to me.

Maruja, no sabes cuanto te quiero y cuanto le agradesco al Senor que te alla enviado a nuestras vidas. Has convivido con nosotros en los momentos mas dificiles que emos pasado, con fidelidad y pacienca. Eres una de mis mejores amigas y como una madre segunda para mi. Gracias por tu humildad, tu cariño, y tus oraciones. Son muy appreciadas. Te extraño con todo el corazon, y no espero por volverte a ver y pasar tiempo contigo charlando, reyendo y recordando los momentos lindos. Nunca te olvido, te pienso mucho, y siempre seras mi nana adorada.