My days of nannyhood are coming to a close. I guess I will have to be a regular Aunt Raelea now. I will miss going up to my niece’s bedroom and welcoming her to a new day. She is so happy after she wakes. Her smile and chatter brings tears to my eyes she makes me feel so loved. The photo above was taken a couple of months ago. Rowans loves scrambled eggs with cheese. Breakfast without her will be strange.

My little Rowan Marie, I love you more than words can possibly describe! I will miss you so much!

Every day since she was three months old, Monday through Friday, 45 hours per week, I was her nanny. She is two now and my sister and husband have alternating working schedules so I’m not needed anymore. And this has been incredibly painful not seeing her for five days now. I don’t think I have ever gone this long without seeing her. I knew when I agreed to do this that it would be for a couple of years at most. I knew this time, full time with her would come to an end. I knew it would be painful. I didn’t imagine it would hurt this much.

Life throws many changes around. Doors close and doors open. Love is a beautiful thing when shared with a child. I have known the love of my family, the love of my best friend and the love of many past lovers. But the truest love I have ever felt is for my niece, Rowan Marie. She has given me the gift of compromise, patience, and laughter. I have never in my entire life smiled as much as I have in these last two years. When I think of her face, those blue eyes, that genuine smile and her yelling Aunt Yaeyea my face stays in a permanent happy fixture. Rowan, you gave that to me and it is a gift I will carry forever!