The Karma Train comes around

I know a lot of people don't understand why I like to babysit so much. Or why I commit myself to things that don't have much to do with my education or getting a job, reaching my goals, etc. I really enjoy giving to people and helping them out. I like being there for my "kids" and their families, I like being dependable. I really like having relationships and nurturing them, and I like growing outside of the classroom.

A lot of people wouldn't do these things because they aren't helpful on their resume. But I believe that we have to work on all aspects of ourselves. Anyway, the other day something happened that convinced me that all that I do for these people is really worth it.

I have been babysitting for the Malloy family since the summer before college started. At that time, their baby Colin was only a few months old. My friend Emmy from high school knew them from the Catholic Church, and she gave them my name. Since then, I have seen these kids at least a couple times a month. They had their second child, Maddy, two years ago. I taught Colin how to swim, his phone number and right now I am teaching him to write. I will also do the same for Maddy.

The Malloys are very well-off and very generous people. They have always paid me well, and have also been very generous. I always get very nice gifts from them for my birthday, christmas and sometimes just because. This past may I received an email from Christine... she bought me an engraved pink ipod mini, just because of all the work I do. This isn't why I keep babysitting for them, though (although it really does help when it takes me an hour and a half to get to their house from downtown.) I just enjoy being an honorary member of their family and really enjoy their kids.

Anyways, the lesson I learned is that the karma train does come around. Not only do I get very nice things from them (several ipods, cell phones, etc) I also get what most people value - connections to the AE world. Both Todd and Christine are business people with many contacts. They are in financing, though, so I never thought to ask them about their connections. Last week, after dropping the kids off, I was talking to Todd. He asked what area I wanted to study in grad school, and I told him that I was interested in either engines or avionics. The conversation followed like this...

Todd: Did I ever tell you about Christine's uncle who owns an avionics company?
Livia: You may have mentioned him before.
Todd: I'll send him an email and see what he has for internships next summer. Come to think of it, I know the Group Leader at GE, he probably has contacts at GE Aircraft and Gulfstream. I'll email him too. Oh! And my brother used to work for Boeing helicopter. I'll contact him to see who he knows. And, I just remembered, my brother in law used to work at Sikorsky. And his father at Pratt and Whitney. Tell you what, send me your resume and I'll make sure they all get it.

So, for the past week Todd has been nice enough not only to pass on my resume but also Will's to all these people with very good connections. And, it seems like he's very excited to be able to help.

Moral of the story: Give a little, cause it's fun and you never know what the Karma train will bring your way.