Auntie Pat

Children called her "Auntie Pat". The children she babysat while we were at school.
Some were toddlers of neighbors on our street, others were infants and tots of people from our parish. I don't know how so many mother's found out about my mom.
I guess it was just word of mouth.
She truly was great with kids. She loved them. Really loved them.
And she had patience like no one I've ever known.
She just had this knack for babies. She knew what they needed, and how to comfort them. There were never any tears. No crying upset babies. They were always happy and content.

I remember coming home from grade school, when she was babysitting.
She would be there, just enjoying the day, folding clothes on the sofa, surrounded by children; a baby cooing on a blanket, two tots playing on the floor, another one with a toy car crawling by. Complete harmony. Everything in order.

Some of the mom's in the parish have told me that my mom saved their lives, or saved their children's lives. It's the greatest compliment, really. And a well deserved one at that. She really was a pro.