Eight mitzvahs.

eight good deeds.

To my tremendous dismay shock the Tornado turns eight this weekend.

Seriously.  Shock could not be more fitting a word.

When I launched this blog she looked something like this:

Drooly canine sidekick.

Hovered around here for a while:

black bean brownies? thumbs up!

Started school and plateaued here for a bit:

Im a climbing Tornado!

And then seemingly *suddenly* shotUPgrewUP to this:

ahhh juicing pulp. we love ye.

I recall feeling sad when she turned five because it felt as if she werent little any more.

Five *sounded* so grown up & I feared both the change (school! no more 24/7 sidekick!) and the unknown of her getting older.

I wasnt sure I’d like it. In fact I was fairly confident Id dislike it.

Three years later Im amazed how it’s only gotten better.

Gone are days of spontaneous, inexplicable tantrums and here are days of burgeoning ability to reason and emerging sense of ‘doing unto others.’

<3 <3

We’re a family who strives to live the notion of service being the rent we pay for living.

More than caring about the Tornado’s career-path, whether she marries or *any* of those things I care–tremendously–she’s grateful, giving and realizes “there but for the grace of G-d go I.”

After watching bloggy friends do good deeds in honor of  birthdays I suggested to the Tornado she do the same to celebrate hers.

Eight mitzvahs to celebrate turning eight.

I completely abdicated to her what the deeds would be (which, like letting her find her gratitude, I found surprisingly challenging!).

Some were easy & fun (play-dates/mom-time) while others forced her entirely out of her comfort-zone (interacting with the homeless & introducing herself to new people).

The whole process, from creation to checking off list, was an opportunity for me to watch and appreciate how she’s grown in the past year.

Im aware the days of I want! I want! may be right around the proverbial corner–but celebrating eight with I give! I give! was a Helper’s High-filled experience we both learned from.

About ourselves and about each other.

And yes.

Ive committed, at her request, to 45 mitzvahs before I turn 45 culminating with a TAKE WHAT YOU NEED Day!

Look out OAKtown.

Later.

First?

It’s time to celebrate eight.

unapologetically herself.

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