Right foot up. Left foot up. Left hand on the railing, fingers lingering over the narrow, intricately carved posts. Right arm bent at his side. His ascension, methodical, his cadence ... Read More about What Sam Teaches Me: A Reflection on World Down Syndrome Day
What Ashes & Lent Can Teach Us
The Christian calendar tells me the season of Lent is here. The next 6+ weeks are considered a sacred time of reflection, penance, and discipline, when many Christians will choose to ‘give up’ a habit ... Read More about What Ashes & Lent Can Teach Us
3 Steps to Loving Beyond Your Circle
As we prepare to say good-bye to February, the so-called looooooove month, I wonder, how did we love beyond those we already know and value? Did we make an effort to remind those outside our social ... Read More about 3 Steps to Loving Beyond Your Circle
When You Hate the Mirror: What I’m Learning About Belonging & My Body
It’s a new year--a time when many of us vow to eliminate ALL THE SUGAR and banish ALL THE FAT to lose ALL THE WEIGHT. “This is my year!” we announce, fist raised to the sky. “I will exercise 2 ... Read More about When You Hate the Mirror: What I’m Learning About Belonging & My Body
A New Word for a New Year
It’s the start of a new year, when many of us share a word that brings clarity or a specific challenge to the next 12 months of our lives. I’ve mentioned before that for years I delayed jumping on the ... Read More about A New Word for a New Year
Recommended Adoption & Foster Care Resources
One of my favorite parts about adoption is the connections I’ve made with people all over the globe. I’ve come to know and appreciate an inspiring network of truth-tellers and hope-bringers doing ... Read More about Recommended Adoption & Foster Care Resources
![When I think back to the early months of motherhood, those bleary-eyed, overwhelming days (nights?) of colic and learning the needs of my first born, I can hardly believe we're here.
The toddler who traipsed around in Huggies and heels, singing made-up tunes and chatting with her hilarious imaginary friend, Lackey, outgrew my heels two years ago. And for the past year, I've been looking up to her--literally.
The longer I parent, the more I discover this gift to be one long, winding road of learning to let go. From the moment she said, "My do it, Mommy," I knew we had begun to leave the days of her tiny hand snuggled in mine.
And while I know these seasons of greater independence are part of her journey, I'm still surprised when they arrive with another milestone at my door, another invitation to release. Some days I ache to hold on just a little longer.
Happy 17th, Sissy.
You're a gift to our home, to your friends, to this aching world.
[ID: A white teen girl with brown hair in 2 braids, wearing black leggings and a black hoodie, is walking in the woods. Sun beams are coming through the trees as she walks away from the camera.]
#Parenting #LettingGo](https://i0.wp.com/www.katiecarper.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png?ssl=1)