About Sara

Reviewed on 8/6/2024

Sara, whom we affectionately called Eunice, was the nanny for my brother and me while we lived in Los Angeles. Six months after I was born, my parents decided to move from Chicago to Los Angeles. They quickly realized they needed a nanny to take care of their six-month-old baby (me). They began a search, interviewing many caregivers in the hope of finding the right fit. To this day, my parents recount the story of how Eunice managed to instantly stop my crying even before the interview had begun, and my mother just knew she was the one. I can't say I remember that day or the first couple of years with Eunice, but it is crucial to note that Eunice was with our family from when I was six months old until I was 11 years old. However, saying Eunice was "with our family" does not feel right. Eunice was part of our family, and our family was part of hers. She truly treated my brother and me as her own kids, and I cannot imagine what my childhood would have been like without her. Eunice is someone who will not coddle your kids; instead, she treats them as her own. Eunice was and still is strict, instilling essential values in every child she works with. As a child, many of the lessons she taught my brother and me, were tough to understand. In hindsight, I cannot thank her enough. Introspectively, I continuously realize that the foundation for many of the values, skills, and traits that have shaped who I am today were planted and nurtured by Eunice herself. While I understand that for many parents, a strict caregiver might seem counterproductive or difficult to accept, I believe this is what made Eunice an integral part of our family and our lives. The set of values that Eunice holds, exemplifies, and instills is one that every parent should be elated to see within their own children. Writing a review for someone I still see as a second mother seems almost demeaning to Eunice's character and abilities. However, I want to ensure that everyone who views Eunice's profile understands how important this woman is and has been in my life. My parents are European immigrants, and my first language was Flemish (a dialect of Dutch). The thought of their baby becoming fluent in languages other than Flemish and English had not crossed their minds. However, once Eunice came into my life, she asked my parents if she could speak Spanish with me in addition to English. My parents quickly agreed, and soon thereafter, I was fluent in Spanish before even starting school. In this day and age, especially in California, learning Spanish is common, but understanding the culture and lifestyle is something else. With Eunice, I not only learned Spanish but also understood the culture and daily life that accompanied it. The love Eunice has for others is unconditional, and it is clear that the love others have for Eunice is equally unconditional. As I write this review from Mexico City, where I am doing a research internship through Stanford University, it is hard to picture myself in this position had Eunice not been a major force in raising me. When it comes to writing a review for Eunice, I could write forever and still not come close to expressing the gratitude I have for her and her family. I will end with one last anecdote. I would like to emphasize that Eunice and I are still in constant communication, and we call at least twice a month to catch up. A couple of months ago, I was visiting my girlfriend, who was then attending USC. Whenever I am in LA, I have to visit Eunice and say hello, but this time, I decided to introduce two of the most important women in my life to each other. I hate to say it, but they got along a little too well, recounting some of my most embarrassing childhood stories and much more. Additionally, Eunice’s angel of a daughter couldn't stop talking to my girlfriend, and they eventually went shopping together as the day went on. It was a beautiful experience for everyone, and I want to use this story to emphasize that Eunice was my caregiver but also so much more. As we like to say, Eunice was and still is my “Guatemalan Mom.” P.S. There is so much more I would like to include in this review, and I have much more to say.