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My new 11 year old daughter is teaching me to make injera. But today as I watched her, I realized she is bringing much more to her new family than just a formula for producing proper injera.
Each time as my daughter has finished cooking the injera, when she has only a little batter left to cook she calls her 9 year old sister. Her sister comes running to make one last smaller piece of injera for herself. The younger girl them claims that piece of injera for herself, to eat with dinner.
The girls said their Habesha (Ethiopian) mother always let the younger girl do this on injera-making day. Each time I’ve watched this little habit, I have been touched at the way my daughter is so obviously cherishing the memories of her Ethiopian mother, and keeping those memories alive for her little sister. Watching them made me think of the way my own mom used to make piecrust and give each of us kids our own bit.
Today after my daughter helped her sister make her own piece of injera, she did something new. She gathered the last dab of batter in a cup and called my two year old over. She then carefully helped her pour one tiny, final injera. My two year old grin proudly as she drizzled the batter on the skillet.
As I watched, I realized that a new tradition was being born right before my eyes. Even more touching, my 11 year old was choosing to expand her treasured tradition to also include her new family.
After the injera was done and the two year old ran off to play, I went to my daughter misty-eyed, and kissed her on the cheek.
“Thank you,” I said. She leaned in to receive my kiss and her lips curved into a smile.
I am pretty sure that if her Habesha mom could have seen her just then, she would have been smiling as well.
Okay. You did it. You made me cry.
It made me cry! I hope that one day in Heaven, you are able to meet their birth mother and hug her and share in those special memories together!
Just include me among the many who are reading this with tears in their eyes and a lump in their throat. What a beautiful thing for your daughter to do and what a wonderful testimony to the power of tradition and love.
tears, check. heart warmed, check.
yep, successful start to my day.
What a special moment to have witnessed and shared!
Oh, that is so special. What a girl you have. I need to put a box of tissues by the computer.
crying here in KS too. What a tremendous gift….. for all of you.
I have to stop reading you in the morning. I cry, and then my makeup is all smeary and smudgy. You think I’d figure this out over the last few weeks, but I’m like a lamb to the slaughter–back every morning to cry some more. Thanks Mary for sharing your lovely family with us.
That was beautiful- you inspire me.
OK, add me to the list of those crying! (Not that it takes much these days!
) That is a beautiful story.
OK, add me to the list of those crying! (Not that it takes much these days!
) That is a beautiful story.
Oops!! Sorry for the double post.
Mary, that is a beautiful heart. God truly had those girls destined for your home.
I’m so excited for you guys!
Thank you Mary for the touching moments with your family members. It’s so precious, so filled with love. Yep, my eyes are filled with tears too.
Abby
When I started reading this, I was HOPING that the story ended JUST like it did. I LOVE this story! And yup, I’m cryin’ too!
oh mary… that is just so very precious… tears are in my eyes…
Thanks so much for sharing. I agree with another poster though…I have to stop reading in the morning : )
crying
What a beautiful moment.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful story.
OK, this is the sweetest thing i’ve ever read!
Can you share how your daughter made the injera batter? I have tried and tried and failed and failed. My Ethiopian children are desperate!
Kris