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Madeline and Me, (a long time ago)

Nanny did come back and I had to be ready. She'd get home from work every night about 5:30. Remember, I'm 3-years-old. I couldn't tell time by using the clock. But, I could by watching my TV shows. When Gumby, Pokey and Lucy were finished, I positioned myself at the window. I can see it as though it were happening right now. And how I wish it were.

The bus stopped at the top of the hill. Nanny hopped off that bus with such a vigorous step, you'd think she was just starting her day. You'd never imagine she had just finished an eight hour stretch trimming meat at Daitch Shopwell (a local supermarket.) You'd never imagine she spent that time on her feet in a freezer. No. She jumped off that bus with a passion. Her second act was about to begin and she never, ever let down her audience.

I'd open the window and wave. Nanny had her hands full with shopping bags, but she always managed to give me my cue. Nanny's wave was notice I had about ten minutes to get ready for our special trip. And I needed to bring a couple of things along with me. I couldn't forget the sugar cubes.

Within 20 minutes we were in the park. I'd sit on nanny's lap on our favorite bench. My back was to her chest. Nanny would wrap her arms around me and announce that tonight we were going to count all the red cars that passed by. When we saw that red car, how she would giggle and bounce me up and down. I can't imagine a more enthusiastic reception for anyone or anything. That was nanny's magic. She could take the usual and make it extraordinary.

When we finished our counting, we'd walk to another section of the park. That's where the policeman was waiting, sitting on his horse. You were wondering about the sugar, weren't you? That horse seemed to know Nanny and I had his treat. He'd lick that sugar from my little hand as if to say, "I couldn't wait another minute."

Nanny bought me every Matchbox car, every Tonka truck and every Christmas decoration there was. But her time was her greatest gift to me. Whether hours on the kitchen floor building blocks or dressing up for Halloween or playing Santa Claus, nanny's greatest gift was her time.

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