By: Kim K Morgan
This blog post is different from others that I have written or will ever write. This one is quite close to my heart, as it is a personal reflection about the power of gratitude and how gratitude has changed my life, provides a daily source of abundance, and enlightens others within my life. This reflection serves to share a story of the power of gratitude between two of my nanny employers and myself.
This year has been one of unimaginable loss, uncertainty, division, and social tension, but between all the chaos and hardship, the magic of the human connection has sustained and moved us forward in this “new normal”. Soulful introspection, laughter, and deep conversations have strengthened our relationships, despite being physically distanced from one another. We started being kinder not only to ourselves but to others. We slowed down and met the challenges we faced with solidarity. Joy popped up in the most unlikely places, people, and things. The International Nanny Association’s theme for this month is reflection and I choose to reflect on the love, kindness, support, and respect that I’ve gained over the years as a nanny from all my former employers — but most importantly, Family D and Family N.
Family D found me through an ad that was placed by one of my former employers recommending me for a nanny position. My initial phone call was with Mom Boss. It didn’t feel like any of the other calls I’d had with previous employers. It felt more like I was catching up with one of my best friends with whom I hadn’t spoken in a while. This conversation went on for a little over an hour before she said, “I would love for you to meet my husband and our son”.
Interview day came along and Dad Boss opened the door. I immediately knew that this position was mine. An unexplainable feeling washed over me as I stepped inside and asked, “can you direct me as to where I can wash my hands please?”. I stood in the bathroom for a minute to compose myself. I had felt this same way years ago when I interviewed with Family N and became excited at the prospect of once again creating a special bond and becoming a part of a loving family.
Family N was one of my best working relationships and spanned six years and three babies. What made it so special was that they were there for me at the lowest point of my life. My significant other had walked out, leaving me eight months pregnant with a four-year-old to care for on my own. The love, mental, physical, emotional, and financial support I received — and still do– was more than I could have ever hoped for as their nanny.
After my visit to their home, I was offered the position by Family D, Mom Boss telling me “You already had the job after our phone conversation, but I wanted you to meet our family and see if you felt that way as well.” She went on to tell me her mom had heard the phone conversation as well and was equally certain that I was the perfect nanny for her grandson.
I started out working as their Newborn Care Specialist (“Baby Nurse”), helping to get their one-month-old on a routine, making sure he was eating adequately while ensuring Mom Boss got to rest. The bond we built during this time was incredible.
In all my life, I’ve never heard someone say thank you so much as Dad Boss did– literally every day as he left for work– and it always came with a speech about how grateful they were to have me in their lives. I questioned myself at first asking, “Is he crazy?!” I felt so appreciated and just couldn’t believe the gratitude and love they expressed. They showed how thankful they were in so many ways, making breakfast for my birthday, hiding a gift around the apartment every day of National Nanny Recognition Week, and taking me to dinner. What I am most grateful for is their support when I found out at a doctor’s visit that I had three masses in my breast. Without hesitation, they gave me the time to attend all my doctor’s appointments and offered inspirational words each day to boost my spirits. The day the doctor called to give me the results of my lab work (which, thankfully turned out to be negative), I broke down sobbing and Mom Boss held me, shedding her own tears. She held me for what seemed like an eternity and cried with me. It was in that moment I knew how truly special our relationship was and still is even though we’re now miles apart.
As I reflect on 2020 and the pain and sadness that has become synonymous with this year, I remain hopeful thinking about the relationships that have touched my life over the years and how many loved ones I have to lift me up in trying times like these. I am full of gratitude for the beacons of light that have shown through in this year of darkness. I look forward to brighter days ahead but am comforted knowing that I can face anything that life throws my way with the love and support of my friends, family…and friends who have become family.
“GRATITUDE IS A MEMORY OF THE HEART”
Kim K. Morgan (INA’s 2020 Nanny of the Year) – Kim Morgan, known to most as “Nanny Kimkim”, is a Cache Certified Advanced Newborn Care Specialist through Nanny Stella and Newborn Care Solutions, New Parent Educator, Infant Sleep Specialist and Professional Nanny, who has dedicated over twenty years of her life to the childcare industry. Kim has spent the past years building her expertise through vast experiences, striving to continuously learn and remain current on all recommended best practices. She’s currently enrolled as a student in the Newborn Care Solutions Elite Y1 Program to be completed at the ending of this year and was recently named the International Nannies Association Nanny of the Year, the first person of color (POC) to have ever won this prestigious award.
Kim has made it her life’s mission to channel her love of babies into a successful career, caring for newborns, infants and twins 0-6 months in New York City and partnering with families to help them navigate through the first critical years of their children’s lives.
Kim’s passion for what she does became more evident at the age of twenty-three, when she was diagnosed with a medical condition that would have likely prohibited her from having children of her own. She’s the proud mother of two smart, intelligent, loving boys who have taught her the meaning of unconditional love, so she can love other’s children as though they are her own.
Kim’s loving spirit, natural leadership, and deep admiration for children, has left her a treasured member of many families over the last two decades. Her goal is to transition working as a full-time Newborn Care Specialist, where she would continue empowering families with confidence and reassurance, that they can be the best parent possible.
* THE VIEWS AND OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THIS ARTICLE ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHORS AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE OFFICIAL POLICY OR POSITION OF THE INTERNATIONAL NANNY ASSOCIATION. THE CONTENTS OF THIS BLOG POST ARE INTENDED TO CONVEY GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND NOT TO PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE OR OPINIONS. THE CONTENTS OF THIS POST SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS, AND SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON FOR, LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE IN ANY PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCE OR FACT SITUATION. THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS POST MAY NOT REFLECT THE MOST CURRENT LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS. NO ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN IN RELIANCE ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS POST THE INA DISCLAIM ALL LIABILITY IN RESPECT TO ACTIONS TAKEN OR NOT TAKEN BASED ON ANY OR ALL OF THE CONTENTS OF THIS POST TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. THE INTERNATIONAL NANNY ASSOCIATION RECOMMENDS THAT AN ATTORNEY SHOULD BE CONTACTED FOR ADVICE ON SPECIFIC LEGAL ISSUES.