So how’s the babysitting going?

My friends and family keep asking me. After my first ten days of babysitting, I’d have to say that it’s going okay. I’m not the most dynamic entertainer, the most exquisite chef, the most imposing authority, or the most expedient chauffeur, but I think I suffice.

Am I ready for my 12 days of babysitting to be over? Absolutely! I’m so excited to start taking the bus again, and sleep in my house in my room, and to see my housemates after work and on the weekends. I think I’ll be most grateful for a house that big enough that I don’t have to hear the tv on in another room.

I’ve found myself most dissatisfied with my isolation from what happens: the girls often won’t sit down to a meal with me (which is a BIG deal to me, especially when I’ve cooked the meal), and the girls will be sitting on the computer and/or watching tv and/or texting on their phones. I feel a bit irrelevant during those hours, but beyond irrelevant I feel deadened by the stream of noisy, hollow media. And I was exactly the same as these girls at their age! It’s funny how time and distance change one’s perspective.

I will say this. In some ways, staying at this house and virtually being forced to relax and be unproductive has probably been good for my mental and spiritual health as I have a very stressful two weeks in many other respects.

There have been some really great moments though too. I talked Immanuel into going on a walk with me, and I’ve had some good conversations with her sister during our long car ride to Long Beach (about a three hour trip in all). The first night when we shared a meal, I realized how much I loved feeling like I’m part of a family—whether that family is composed of friends who choose to do life (and meals!) together or composed of blood relatives doesn’t really matter.