beautiful becky

Becky and her family used to live down the hall from me.  They were from Ireland and were living here for a few years.  Tim and Karen became my friends, and I fell in love with their children, Sam (now 6) and Rebecca (who is five today). 

We watched TV together; I read them stories; I re-enacted plays for them.  I even took Sam to a couple of movies.  I played with them almost daily.  I think they viewed me as a peer.  I loved seeing the world again through children-eyes.  In December of 2010, Tim’s work transferred him back to Ireland.  We said our sad good-byes; promised to keep in touch— there’s Skype and Facebook; it’ll be easy. 

But life gets busy and time passes and correspondence becomes less and less.  Despite their parents' best efforts, over time the kids will not remember they ever lived in New York.  They will develop beautiful Irish accents, and they will forget the lady who adored them down the hall.

Happy birthday beautiful Becky.  The last one we celebrated together was when you turned two.  I miss watching you grow up.