The Celebrating

I can't think of anything more fun than watching my little baby begin letting go of the sofa, letting go of my hand, and taking those first few awkward steps.

For Clara, it all started with one step, taken on her first birthday.  She's since added steps, improved her balance, and gained boldness.  Over the past two weeks she's worked on her walking every day.  To date, the most she's done is seven "Frankenstein-style" steps together.

I watch on, in giddy excitement, as my baby amazes me with her newly forming abilities.  And of course I have to scoop her up and dance around to celebrate each of her new accomplishments!

And so it goes.  I position Clara standing next to the ottoman, scoot back a few steps, and invite her to walk to me.  With a giant grin on her face, she lets go, takes a step or two and falls on me.  We celebrate.  I swing her high into the air twice and then give her a giant hug, flinging her from side to side.  Clara giggles and squeals.  I reposition her, and again she walks, this time giggling before she even lets go, knowing what's coming at the end.  Two steps later we celebrate.  The third time she completely fails, tripping over her own feet and falling flat before she ever lets go of the ottoman.  She doesn't know the difference though, because she's already squealing and giggling as she fumblingly crawls to me for a celebration.  I scoop her up, and just as before, we celebrate.

I hope she knows that she's loved, so much, despite anything she does or doesn't do.  I will continue to teach her and show her that as she grows.  Walk or trip, we have so much to celebrate in this precious child that God has given us.

As a matter of fact, the celebrating just may be the best part.