We hang four stockings on our fireplace. Come Christmas morning only three stockings are filled.

We have talked much over the years about what to do with that empty stocking. But for now, it feels right to leave it empty.

It hangs with the other stockings throughout the Christmas season. It hangs because all of our kids deserve a place at the mantel. It hangs because all of our kids are loved. It hangs because it is important to us that each kid in our family have a place.

Levi’s stocking hangs in the middle, within his birth order.

Having his stocking hang tells our kids with us that they can feel safe talking about him. It tells them that he is a part of our family as much as they are.