Today you turn 12 according to the Jewish calendar and according to the date in your passport. Today you become a woman according to Jewish Law and yet, you are very much a little girl. As you celebrate at home with the rest of the family, and look forward to your second celebration, your actual day of birth in twelve days, and the bat mitzvah celebration at synagogue with your friends and family, all I can say is that I am so fortunate to have become your father three years ago. Thank you for being brave and voluteering to leave behind your loving foster parents and foster brothers to become a member of our crazy, noisy, big family.
You, along with your then baby sister, were the person, who turned me from being a father of boys to father of boys and girls. You taught me that not all girls like pink, or they only like it with brown, that Barbie is not always a bad role model, and girls can put together their IKEA kitchen sets.
In the Bible it says, “The Eternal One blessed Abraham with everything.” (Genesis 24:1) our sages interpret it that Abraham was blessed with a daughter. I can fully see why. Thank you for being that blessing in my life.
As you start your adult journey in Judaism, I hope to see you grow in your faith and understanding. I hope that you will always remember how much you are loved, and adult or not, you are still our daughter.
Have a very happy birthday, Noa!
Posted with Blogsy
