As hard as it is for any of us to believe, my grandniece, Taylor Masterson is all grown up. As of today, she is 18 years old, and as her sister, Raelynn says, she’s a “full adult” now. Raelynn says, “I really couldn’t be more proud of who Taylor is becoming.” Taylor is happy and working at Starbucks now. She is also learning to be her own best advocate, making sure that she has the things she needs and that people don’t step on her. Taylor spent much of her young life being shy, and maybe, a little insecure, but now, her voice keeps getting more and more confident. Raelynn tells me, “She’s going from the little kid who had trouble talking, who had trouble speaking out, to this adult who loves so deeply, and speaks her mind, it almost feels unreal. She’s creating boundaries and making sure they stick.”
Taylor has a long-time best friend named Christian. When they were 14, they spent most of their time playing board games on the porch, but these days, they are going out and being active in the world more often. Taylor is becoming a very responsible adult. She insists on buying her own things when she has the money. Even for dentist or doctor appointments when her parents, Rob and Dustie Masterson say it’s fine. She even called the dentist all on her own and made her own appointment! Taylor is doing quite well at the adulting thing, I think.
Taylor never fails to tell Raelynn when she is getting too worked up. She is learning to be a calming effect of her sister and others around her. Raelynn has some anxiety issues, and Taylor knows how to help. Raelynn says, “If it’s a particularly bad day she’ll tell me to go take a nap, or bring me a snack, or tell me to drink some water and just breathe. Mom and dad do that as well, but Taylor in particular is the one usually on my case about it.”
Taylor’s mom, Dustie says, “Taylor is one of the most sensitive and caring people that I know. People say that they’ll give you the shirt off their back and some people may, but most people really don’t. With Taylor, whether it’s a detriment to her or not she will give you whatever you need or want. No matter how much it hurts.” Dustie knows her daughter well. She knows that Taylor is introverted and introspective. Dustie says, “I think that it’s important to mention most people anymore are more about ‘look at me look at me’ but in a lot of ways, 
Taylor reminds me of me she’d rather be behind the scenes getting it done with nobody being the wiser as to who got it done.” Very well said, Dustie!!
For Dustie, this birthday is particularly hard, because Taylor is the baby of the family, and now she’s an adult. All of Dustie and Rob’s kids are adults now. It just feels strange for a parent. Taylor was a rainbow baby, arriving after a loss. She helped her mom heal when she was baby and she’ll probably never know how much. She’s such a loving kind of soul and Dustie just wishes more people could see that that. I think Dustie and Raelynn told the world. Oh, and Taylor’s favorite non-human is her cat, Axel, whom she loves with all her heart. Today is Taylor’s 18th birthday. Happy birthday Taylor!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
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