Tossing 'Hail Marys'

I never thought I would join the workforce ranks as a nanny, but it is the situation I currently find myself in.

Luckily for me, the family I work for is incredible. Both parents are really great, and the baby, 6-month-old Emily, is adorable. She’s so cute I can hardly stand it, and I’ve become mildly obsessed with her.

Don’t worry, this is not a permanent job by any means. For now, though, it’s allowing me to stay in Chicago while I job search, as well as maintain a social life and even save some money.

What’s been interesting about this job are the people I have met. It seems like most affluent families in Chicago have full-time nannies, and believe it or not, I am in the minority of that group. I’m white, I’ve gone to college and I’m an American citizen. Weird, right?

I’ve met nannies from all over the world…Mexico, Barbados, Ireland and Poland. Actually, I have met at least a dozen nannies from Poland. Most are older than my parents and have been in the United States for about 20 years.

I got to chatting with one the other day about how we both ended up nannying in the city. It was an interesting conversation, and we covered a lot of ground. I mentioned that I used to sing classical music. The Polish nanny put her hand to her chest and asked if I knew Schubert’s Ave Maria. Of course, I do. Then she asked if I knew the legend of what inspired the Austrian composer to write one of the most beautiful and enduring pieces of religious music.

I must have sung the Ave Maria a million times, but I didn’t know the story, so she told me.

Franz Schubert was traveling through the Austrian Alps during a very cold winter. On a very dark and frigid night, he wandered from the path and got lost on the mountain, disoriented and freezing, his energy was depleting and he desperately sought cover from the harsh conditions. Unable to find shelter, death seemed imminent, so Schubert started praying for relief. Suddenly, an angel appeared. She reached down and enveloped him in her warmth before carrying him to shelter. As he drifted with the angel, she sung to him a sweet melody…which he later transcribed into the Ave Maria.

I don’t know if the legend the old Polish lady told me is true or not, but I like the story.

There’s more to this job than I realized, and some of those unexpected aspects are very pleasant surprises.