When Nanny means another mother

We recently had a friend come and meet Ayaan. She's from KL but working here like us. 

I noticed that whenever I talk about Ayaan, reference of his nanny is inevitable. And rightly so, he spends so much time with her. It's funny because when I think of it, the way I refer to the nanny is this lady whom he likes spending more time with than us. There's a hint of jealously out there you know. 

In the beginning when I started observing this pattern, I felt bad, almost hurt. But then looking at my condition and how Ayaan would have been starved of all the carrying and sleeping in the lap if it were just me, I made my peace with it. In fact, I say it jokingly now and it gives me a good sleep to think of the love Ayaan gets from his nanny. When I told the KL friend about it, she related with the fact that they've been raised with a helper around all through the childhood. They used to call her Ibu - Indonesia for mother. 

I've been talking so much about this nanny but haven't introduced her yet - let me do that!

I don't know what's her Thai name, but we call her P' Mon. She's this 49 years old lady, who had twins not so long ago and often reminds me now of my mother. She doesn't know much english and I know very little Thai. Sometimes the way we communicate with google translate is in itself funny. She's kind hearted and most importantly, so far I trust her with my baby. She takes care of the baby 24/7 and sleeps with him also. She's like another mother to him in all respects. 

For her services, she takes a handsome salary. At least that's what it'll look like and in that respect, someone could argue that she's just doing her job. But I think very differently. 

As a mother, having to leave her own kids of 3-4 years with someone in her village and coming to Bangkok to take care of my baby - this in itself is heartbreaking. On top, she works so that I can rest and find time to lay out all my thoughts. She is also a human being and gets tired often. It sometimes shows on her face how she gets cranky when baby doesn't sleep whole day. But she doesn't complain. Ayaan is lucky to have her and we are privileged. 

In general, motherhood and then cancer have made me grateful. I sometimes get so much deep into feeling blessed that I try to make up by making food for her, taking her for a massage, ensuring we have things in place for her. 

She's like a member of my family to me - probably another mother to not just Ayaan but also to me - a sense of home away from home.