THE YAYA M STORY

I never did tell you about the Yaya M story, did I?

Yaya M has been one efficient helper in our family. With her expertise (naks, expertise!) in newborn care, she just hopped from one relative to another, taking care of all the newborn babies in our family, the last being Haligilet. There was no question in her skill, efficiency and integrity. And while she usually limited her tenure to a maximum of two years per employer, we were fortunate enough to breach this because, she claimed, she wanted to grow old with us. However, things took a different turn when we hired an all-around helper given my very toxic schedule at work. She transformed from one superyaya to one supertamad one.

In a nutshell, it was a disaster just waiting to happen. After all, ours gripes against her (and maybe hers, against us) had accumulated over the years. It all began with petty stuff--extended days off and spells of laziness (especially when Haligilet became a toddler). Then things progressed to deeper offenses--questionable work ethic; intrigue-sowing; mega-over-to-the-max trips to the lotto outlet/MiniStop/Mercury/Watsons/Yadayadayada; and the last straw, talking back when being disciplined.

Yaya M's stint with us ended sadly and regretfully. Sayang. She has long since sent her apologies via text--"Ati M, galet pa p0h ba kay0 sa ken. Sori p0h sa lahat. Mahal k0 p0h kay0. Sana p0h wag nyo p0h sana ak0h sasab0notan pag nakita ny0 aq"--PAANO NAMAN HINDI MAWAWALA GALIT MO DYAN DIBUZZ? LAFF TRIP! But who knows, with the coming of another baby a little over nine months, our paths just might cross again.

EKS-OH-EKS-OH