Babysitting

Twice in my formative years I babysat children. The first time was the summer before third grade. My bff's family was going out for the afternoon and they needed someone to watch their baby/toddler. He was asleep when I got there. After about twenty minutes I got bored. So I went in to see what he was doing. The little bugger woke up! Then proceeded to scream uncontrollably for the next two and a half hours until his Mom came home.
When I was in high school I needed a summer job. I answered an ad in the paper for a babysitter. A pilot and nurse needed someone to watch their three boys of various ages, the oldest being around ten. I was not the best babysitter. I played with the younger ones and ate goober grape sandwiches (don't know why but I had never had them before or since and this is what I remember...) while the eldest generally went off with his friends. Not even two weeks in (may have been the first week come to think of it) the middle kid came in and told me that the eldest and his buddies had found a pot hole in the road and were digging up the asphault. I went down, scattered the boys, and took the eldest and put him in his room for the day. I never went back. Their choice- not mine. But I was not at all disappointed. I then got a job cleaning hotel rooms which was a MUCH better fit!
Yesterday I had a much more successful day babysitting. She didn't scream the whole time (at least not out loud!), and there was no troublemaking or funny business. I actually wouldn't have called it babysitting. My mother-in-law is the one who called it that.
When we were over visiting my in-laws this weekend we heard that my f-i-l's old work buddies, who get together every month at the same restaurant (and have for like twenty years!), were meeting this week. My f-i-l had not been in over two years! So while Art and his Dad were off at the market to get some things for dinner I suggested to Mom that I come over that day to be with her while Dad was at the lunch. She perked right up, and said that was a great idea! You see, Dad has been a big mother hen about Mom. He really won't leave her alone at all. While it is an incredible devotion and one can't fault him for his dedication they do still need some autonomy. I thought they may both feel more comfortable if I was there.
She called again Tuesday night to firm up plans. Dad was leaving at ten and she had her physical therapist coming in the afternoon. I said I would try to get there by ten thirty.
Of course, we had torrential rains on Tuesday with thunder and lightening and a power outage so I woke up late Tuesday and scrambled to get all the cats and birds taken care of, check e-mail really quick, do a few last minute biz odds and ends then head out the door! I didn't have time to make coffee so I stopped by Dunkin Donuts for some joe and I got to their house at 10:34 which is a close miss, but still counts.
Mom was just reading the paper. I came in and we talked, I made tea for her and a second round of coffee for me. We played some cribbage and then we had some delicious meatballs that her bil made for lunch. It was during lunch that I found out that Dad would NOT have gone to lunch if I was not going to be able to come over! Wow! No pressure there!
Just as we were finishing up the visiting nurse stopped by to get Mom's vitals, then her physical therapist showed up. After her 45 minute workout she was a little tuckered out so she rested for about an hour.
Dad got home during that time. He had a big smile on his face! He ran in and checked on Mom and told her about his lunch. Then they came out and we chatted for a while longer. It is really great that these guys still get together after all of these years! It is even better that my fil got to go catch up with them. Mom joked about and thanked me for babysitting her. My pleasure, and I hope I did well enough that they ask me back!