Lucia

Lucia was our first domestic helper. She was very young when she first came to live with us. JW was then about 15 months old. Fifteen months later, JJ arrived, 6 weeks premature. While JJ was looked after by a nanny (we felt Lucia was too young and JJ was too small to handle) Lucia took care of JW. But Lucia loved JJ very much and every morning she would play with him.

As a gift to Lucia before she left, on behalf of each of the boys, I wrote these poems. She cried when she read them. We had kept in touch for a while after she went back to the Philippines but have lost touch with her for a long time now. I do wonder how she is now.

For Lucia From JW

When you first came,
I was fifteen months old
I didn't know how to call your name
I just learned how to walk
I could hardly talk
I was still sleeping in my baby cot

(Do you remember when
I frightened you by climbing out of my cot
While you went to make my milk?)

Then I went to school
And you had to come with me on the bus
I cried when you were not with me

Now I am almost three years old
I go to school by myself
And I talk like a pro
I argue, I say "no"
I ask "Why?" all the time

I can sing and make new songs
And I can tell you stories or
What I did in school
Now I can ask questions like
"Why are you crying, Lucia?"

I will remember that you were
The first maid that took care of me
And I want you to know
That I will miss you when you are gone

Love,

JW


For Lucia From JJ

I arrived six weeks early
And weighed only five pounds
I was all skin and bones
You did not know
How to carry, feed or bathe me

But now I am five months old
And you know how to take care of me
I like it when you play with me
And make me giggle and laugh

I don't know how to talk yet
So I just want you to know that
I will miss you when you are gone

Love,

JJ