Our life is so enriched by Free to Be, who is so much more than an occasional babysitter. She’s a wonderful friend and a Christ-like presence in our family.

I wrote this (sans pseudonyms) for her birthday. For this poem, she is F2, just so the meter works out. (Though that makes her sound like a computer command.)

Good things come in small packages, dear F2’s proof of that,
At SPC she helped us all like magic from a hat.
But now in her retirement she does not get too much rest—
Without a doubt our busy kids have put her to the test!

Her term of service started in the winter of ‘06,
When RM the writer mom was in a little fix,
A writing workshop beckoned, but she didn’t have to beg.
Generous F2 offered first to care for little M.

And what a week! Our M-girl hated bottles for her drink,
And so resourceful F2 for solutions she did think.
While RM would write, with breastpump tucked beneath her coat,
Poor F2 would pour sippy cups of milk down M’s throat!

The months went by, the two of them spent many days together,
They’d play with toys and go for walks in balmy summer weather.
Then Martha heard a surprise such as she’d never heard before.
In a house already full of life, Wow! There would be one more!

Our honorary grandma gave her precious time again,
To babysit our little boy on Wednesdays now and then,
She’s watched him grow; he’s now so big, one question does abound:
Does F2 carry J upstairs or th’other way around?

I love to see your smiling face each time you come our way,
We wish you all the best on this significant birthday.
When it comes to caring for us all, you’ve done whate’er it took.
You’ll be in the acknowledgements if I ever write a book!