Moving Up In The Ranks

My grandniece, Taylor Masterson is growing up. That fact is known to everyone, but for her older sister, Raelynn, it seems to be hitting home a little harder on this birthday. Raelynn says “It’s weird, and funny, because Taylor is funny. I remember she was always the baby. Even now I can’t help but want to help her, though I’ve recently taken steps back to let Taylor learn. Taylor has days where she’s not happy about it, but I think she understands since I (Raelynn) plan to move out soon.” As a little girl, Taylor always wanted to be just like her older sister, often copying her, but now, she’s grown into her own. Raelynn says, “She’s kind, funny, empathetic, and sarcastic, and I’ll admit that I’ll miss seeing her every day when I come home or hearing her hilarious comments when I complain. Taylor is also really passionate about the things she loves. Sentimental items, things that we got her. She names everything she gets…from us or for herself, and it’s honestly sweet. She puts a lot of thought into the names she gives her items and she loves them all, sorting them in her room.” Raelynn says, “Taylor is raising up in the ranks! She is now a crew trainer, which means her workplace trusted her to know enough that she can train new hires, and they’re going to pay for her GED. I’m really proud of her. She wants to be a paramedic, and she’s taking the steps to get there. They actually had to convince her to take the Crew Trainer position by saying that, because Taylor is so focused on it.”

Taylor’s mom, Dustie Masterson says “Taylor is special. I know all parents think that, but Taylor is special in a very specific way. Taylor is sensitive, in a way that’s almost empathic. A lot like me she can read a room or a person in just a few minutes. People think it’s a bad thing…to be sensitive and empathic, but I believe like most things it has its pros and cons. For example, Taylor wanted a rotisserie chicken from Sam’s Club. She used to have lunch with me when I (Dustie) was still working there, and I would buy one for us to pick apart. However, she absolutely REFUSED to buy one. See her dad can only eat organic chicken, if it’s not organic his lips and mouth get blisters and swell. So, Taylor is craving this chicken but won’t get one because her dad can’t enjoy it also. So, I got online and found a copycat recipe for it, bought an organic chicken and made one for the first time ever. It came out really good, Taylor said it was better than Sam’s! I don’t know many people in this world that would do that. Have a craving but not act on it because someone else can’t enjoy it with them. That’s just one example of how amazing Taylor is. The downside, however, is Taylor picks up on others sad and angry emotions as well, and it affects Taylor very deeply. And that while not necessarily a bad thing, can be a hard thing to understand and deal with. As much as I wish I could tell Taylor how to block or ignore the hard feelings, I still haven’t gotten it down to a science for myself.”

Taylor’s dad, Rob Masterson says, “What can I say about Taylor…she is my baby, basically my pride and joy she works harder than just about anybody else I know to try and gain somewhat of a small independence. I couldn’t be more proud of her for it. She tries to help everybody else as much as she can even though it could end up completely breaking her in the process. She would still give them every last dime she had, if it would help them which I’m not entirely certain is a good thing, but it is something I’m very proud of her for. Taylor is 19 now and still no driver’s license…something that we will be working on over the next few months, but I have faith that her and my oldest child Raelynn will both get their license here this year. Taylor works so much that it makes it hard to spend time with her but what time she does have to spend with us she still loves hanging out with her mom anytime I leave my room practically she steals my spot and hangs out with her mom…so she is a mama’s girl and I love that about her too.”