A Belated Birthday Tribute to "Tayta"

A friend once floated the theory that everyone has a fixed psychological age, no matter what their physical age. An interesting thought, and some people are easier to peg than others. My dear, youngest daughter is one such person. She was first lovingly referred to as "tayta" or "grandma" in Arabic by her 2nd grade teacher, who noticed my daughter's tendency to take care of other people. With all the youthful energy of a 10 year old, "tayta" blesses family, friends and strangers with ready smiles, engaging conversation, hand knit scarves, or tea and homemade cookies.

Every family needs at least one extrovert, and this dear daughter is ours. Sometimes it gets a little too easy for us to let her be the face of the family as she is the one always willing to answer the phone or run to neighbors with a message or plate of food. Once, when I had to run out quickly while another friend waited in our home I returned to find my daughter had engaged my friend in a game of "Sorry" in an effort to keep her entertained.

"Tayta" stuffing koosa (zucchini) for supper

When this dear daughter finishes her studies and her piano practicing she can often be found helping in the kitchen, reading a book, knitting, or playing with the toddler who lives upstairs. She single-handedly baked half our Christmas cookies this year and we have come to depend on her for our weekly double batch of chocolate chip or molasses cookies. A few of her favorite things: baking, babies, singing, babies, hanging out with her brothers and sister, babies, Anne of Green Gables, babies, listening to audiobooks, knitting, babies, sewing, and, did I mention, babies?

"May our sons in their youth be like plants full grown, our daughters like corner pillars cut for the structure of a palace...Blessed are the people to whom such blessings fall!" Psalm 144

Dear daughter, you are truly a polished cornerstone of our family and your presence is a blessing to us all. We thank God for you!