20 Years of Love

We threw Moo a "retirement" party on my last day of school. When I picked Maeve up from her that day, it signified the ending of an era. For the last 20 years she has taken care of preschool children in her home beginning in 1994 when Adrienne came along. Mama gave up her position at the primary school to watch her niece's daughter. After Adrienne came Katelyn less than two years later. Then less than two years after her, her own grandchildren started coming when Clayton arrived. That was likely her busiest time when she had three preschoolers to care for each day. But the days consisted of routine- play, lunch, books, naps then repeat! Moo has given all of her "babies" such a head start in life, caring for each of them better than they are cared for at home. 

Later the girls added twin brothers, but their mama had to take a year off from work to care for them. Then their nana took care of the boys. Although Moo missed out on them, her house was still busy as Carson came along, then Cam, and lastly Maeve, whom we lovingly refer to as the grand finale!

There is no telling how many stories she read to them, how many laps she has ridden in the golf cart, how many sand castles she's built, how many preschool carpool lines she has waited in, how many bed heads she has brushed, lunches she's fixed, ice cream cones she's scooped, and naps she's protected as she has opened up her home and her heart to all of them. She made child are her career. And in my opinion, there is no more noble a position. 

As their mothers, we could never begin to repay her for the sacrifices she's made for our children. We knew without a doubt that our babies were well taken care of while they were in her care. They were thriving and learning in a safe place while we had to be away from them. Thank you, Moo, for helping to form the foundation for their years to come. Surely your crown in heaven will be filled with the most beautiful kinds of jewels.