Bella

You know how the Bradys had Alice? 

And how the Jeffersons had Florence? 

And remember Rosie from the Jetsons? 

And who could forget Mrs. Garrett and the Drummonds? 

Well, we, the Tomczaks, we have Bella.

This is not Bella.  This is Microsoft clip art.  I would like to post a picture of Bella, but it's a bit awkward to say, "Hey Bella, can you smile for the camera?  I want to put a snapshot of you up on my blog so people can see who is making our coffee and washing our socks".

Before you get  your panties in a bunch, from either excitement or disgust, let me just say that having a live-in "helper", as they are called here, is not some kind of grand statement on social standing.  It is common here.  Very common.  In fact all, the apartments we looked at, every last one, had a designated helper's bedroom.  And take a look around the grocery stores, check out who's standing at the bus stops, see who is attached to the hand of the small child you see at the beach and you'll most likely see a Filipino helper.

We "inherited" Bella from Gene's co-worker who had the last Hong Kong gig.  Once that family left, Bella was in need of employment, and, knowing how well-loved Bella was to the last family, we were happy to employ her. 

I am blogging about Bella being part of our household because I realize that as we go, there will be questions as to who is minding the children as Gene and I enjoy some of Hong Kong's sights and sounds.  Many of our friends and family have known about Bella from the beginning.  Some do not.  Now we are all on the same page.

I first met Bella back in May when we signed off on her work contract that would keep her residency in Hong Kong valid.  I asked her "Is there anything I should know?".  I thought she would tell me that her Sundays are off; that she doesn't do windows; that she prefers to cook with fresh chicken as opposed to frozen.  Instead, she said this.  "I am 49 years old.  I have 4 children.  I do this for them". 

In that moment I realized how alike we were.  Two mothers, from opposite sides of the world, living two very different lives, but propelled by the needs and hopes and dreams of their children, by the desire for them to have more, to do better, to be more. 

Two mothers, so very different, but so very much the same.