9-13 |

More than a few years ago, my youngest daughter (and my youngest for a very, very, very long time, until the surprise of a new brother) arrived.

A few stories come to mind. Bookends- with a middle of sorts. When Shira was not yet 2, we brought her to Israel. And, when she and her older sister hit the beaches of Tel Aviv, it was her first encounter with sand. So, she did what all little kids do to investigate- she put the granules in her mouth… (No, Shira, I won’t forget that story.)

And, then when it was just the three of us, we traveled around the US. On one such journey, Shira decided to assert her independence. (Oh, wait- Shira always asserts her independence. This time, she planned to assert in yet another, new way.) She went to the girl’s room in the Charlotte Airport- by herself. She was a big girl. And, then decided to not come out. Not when her older sister tried to cajole her- she didn’t want us to get to our destination.

Unfortunately for Shira, her dad is just as determined. And, announced loudly to anyone (there were none, thankfully) in the bathroom that I was coming in to get my little girl. And, we reached our destination on time.

Shira also wanted to help in the kitchen. She was a “big girl” now and big girls could do things, just like her 3 siblings had to do. So, she was asked to wash the lettuce. Yep! You guessed it…Shira proceeded to use the soap to wash the lettuce. (Of course, given today’s food quality, she may have been prescient and killed/removed all vestiges of those pesky microbes and viri that have been infecting folks around the US.)

Now, the much older Shira has traveled the globe. She’s traveled the US. And, she follows the beat of her own drum. (OK, I am sure she also pays attention to Chris’ rumble, too.)

And, for the first time in a long time, she is not missing out on her birthday celebrations. Because this year the Jewish holidays are “late”. (They are always on the same date- it’s just how those dates synchronize with the secular calendar that makes them appear late or early.)

Shira will still celebrate her day of at-one-ment. Where she takes stock of her life and prepares for the rest of her journey.

I can hardly wait to see that journey progress!

Happy birthday, Shira Batya… I love you.