(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)
MICHEL MARTIN, HOST:
It's time again for StoryCorps. In 1989, Margaret Tobin was a personal chef, but she decided to pick up a few bucks babysitting for a newborn named Audrey. It was supposed to be a three-week gig. Eighteen years later, Margaret and Audrey came to StoryCorps to talk about their life together.
MARGARET TOBIN: When you were little, I would put you on my shoulder, and it was like icing on a cupcake. You would just drape down over my shoulder. And we called you Scrumpshy 'cause you were such a scrumptious baby. You just ate everything, so I would take you along when I would cook. There was one time you were, like, 14 months, and I turned around and I didn't see you. And I looked at the end of the counter, and all I see were these two little feet sticking out. And here you are with a bowl...
AUDREY HUNTINGTON POMERANTZ: (Laughter).
TOBIN: ...Of kibble, and you reach into the dog dish, offer me a piece...
HUNTINGTON POMERANTZ: (Laughter).
TOBIN: ...Like, would you like some? It's delicious.
HUNTINGTON POMERANTZ: (Laughter).
TOBIN: I remember when you were really little, your mother and I were sitting on the love seat in the kitchen. You were between us. And we each took a limb, and your mother would...
HUNTINGTON POMERANTZ: (Laughter).
TOBIN: ...Pull and she would say, I love her. And I say, no, I love her, I love her. And you were just there in heaven, rolling back and forth and laughing.
HUNTINGTON POMERANTZ: (Laughter) I have a bigger fan club than most kids.
TOBIN: Yeah. You know, your life is very different than my life was.
HUNTINGTON POMERANTZ: Yeah.
TOBIN: Because I grew up under this cloud of having a father who was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's when I was 10.
HUNTINGTON POMERANTZ: When you were 10.
TOBIN: Yeah. And with the diagnosis, there's no out. And he died when I was 14. I had moments of depression when I was young. But I have to say, once I met you, it changed the focus of my life. And the 18 years just - I mean, it flew by.
HUNTINGTON POMERANTZ: So how are you taking the fact that I've gone off to college now?
TOBIN: Initially, when you went away, you called me back right away, but...
(LAUGHTER)
TOBIN: Recently, your phone skills have deteriorated a little bit, so...
HUNTINGTON POMERANTZ: Yeah. But I've always felt your support. I really attribute a lot of who I am to how much you've loved me over the years. I don't really think I would be as happy as I am if you weren't in my life. So thank you.
TOBIN: You're welcome. I'm so happy that you're happy.
(SOUNDBITE OF SAM BROWN AND HUW JONES' "HEART FELT")
MARTIN: Margaret is now 75, and Audrey is 36, raising two children of her own.
TOBIN: So how has our relationship changed?
HUNTINGTON POMERANTZ: It's more balanced. I'm an adult now, and there's a lot that hopefully I'm able to support you with.
TOBIN: Tech support?
HUNTINGTON POMERANTZ: Yeah.
TOBIN: (Laughter).
HUNTINGTON POMERANTZ: I am your tech support. And now my kids get to have this relationship with you, Margaret.
TOBIN: They're really amazing kids because you've just been such a great mom. So, you know, you're my girl.
HUNTINGTON POMERANTZ: I know (laughter).
(SOUNDBITE OF SAM BROWN AND HUW JONES' "HEART FELT")
MARTIN: Audrey Huntington Pomerantz and Margaret Tobin in Philadelphia. Their interview is archived at the Library of Congress. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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