"That means I won't be able to tell
senora Mimi the best parts of my day
or the things I'd do over, the way I
usually do on our walks home.
We won't stop in Mr. Ruiz's shop to
buy peanuts to feed our squirrels."
The young girl who narrates this story lives in the same building as her babysitter. On the days that her mother has to go to work, the two stop at apartment 4C where senora Mimi lives with her little one and their dog. Mama leaves the child in senora Mimi's care.
Before they leave for school, Ana watches senora Mimi feed Nelson, while Ana feeds Pancho some of the crackers they both like. As she washes her hands prior to leaving, Ana anticipates the arrival of Abuela, who is going to be living with Ana and her Mami starting tonight. Preparations for her arrival are complete.
Abuela will be her new babysitter. As they head off to school, senora Mimi encourages Ana to hurry along or they will be late. There is no time to dawdle. Ana is sure that Abuela will not expect such things of Ana. Once at school, she announces to her class and teacher that Abuela is going to take care of her now. They will see each other every day.
""Lucky you!" Tynisha says. "Grandmothers are way better than
bossy babysitters! No more senora Mimi to tell you what to do
every day!"
"Oh," I say, startled. No more senora Mimi? I hadn't really
thought about that."
There are many things Ana will miss about seeing senora Mimi every day. While they wait for her mother, Ana begins to understand what is about to happen. Senora Mimi explains that she will also miss Ana, even though they will still live in the same apartment complex. When it is time to leave, Ana promises to see her again soon.
The friendship built between the two will not soon be forgotten. This is such a lovely tribute to caregivers and all they do for children as they provide care when their parents cannot be there.
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