Wednesday, March 10, 2010



13. Babysitting David and David the babysitter by Catherine Manchester (David's aunt and Godmother)
 
David was a charming boy. I quite often babysat the two boys, James and David.
 

As a one-year-old, David had the ability to switch off from the general hustle and bustle of family life. Even at its crescendo, I caught him gazing out of the window at the velvety rain cascading down outside.

When he was a year or so older, we would have animated conversations as I was putting him to bed. On one occasion, as a chivalrous gesture to thank his babysitter and aunt, he reached out of his bedroom window and plucked some white flowers, possibly roses, and presented them to me with a flourish. I was very touched by this little scene.


When our daughter Ariana was about one and David ten, we took a photo of him holding his little niece. It is one of my favourite photos of David. 


A few years later and on several occasions David would come over to Ngaio to babysit Ariana, which he didn’t want to be paid for, but we insisted. 

He was most caring and attentive and read her stories and, as they shared a love of lollies, they would take the longish walk down to the dairy to choose their favourites.
 

Later on, when Anne was overseas, David stayed with us for six weeks during some of his electro-technology apprenticeship. He was good company to us all and did a great job at fitting in. Again, he was happy to babysit for us. 

David will always be remembered by us as a charming individual.




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