We met while dodging the obnoxious boys chasing us when she tripped and fell hard in the mulch. Before she…
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Social Justice
What I Heard in the Quiet
Five summers ago, my husband and I traded blueberry-lined wooded trails and lakes for sidewalks in town, neighbors on every…
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5 Reminders From Black History Month
You (the precious few who read my words) may have noticed that I did not write in this space during…
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What Down Syndrome Can Teach Us Now
When I married nearly 16 years ago, I never dreamed I’d be parenting four kids, one with Down syndrome. I…
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Lessons from a Prophet-Preacher: What I’ve Learned from Dr. MLK
Today marks the 50th anniversary since the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I wish I could have met…
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When It’s Hard to Love Our Neighbors
Determine Your Role: Part 3 of 3 in the LYN Series When we left a quiet cabin in the woods…
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![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)