Wink from Heaven: There's no place like home

Monday, February 2, 2009

There's no place like home

Caleb doesn't have any ruby slippers, but our wish was granted... He's coming home tomorrow! He got his chest tubes out today, and his lungs look good! He's tolerating his feedings well, and I've finished my g tube training. So we're preparing to be home by tomorrow evening! Caleb will still be recovering for quite a few weeks, but what better place to heal than his own cozy room, his own comfy bed, and his own family and friends to snuggle him? There's definitely no place like home!

A few pictures from the past few days:

Still not feeling so well...

Starting to feel better...

Getting a snuggle from a"HUG" his nurse gave him!

13 comments:

WheresMyAngels said...: Oh I am so glad he is coming home. I'm sorry he had an extended stay.

Prayers.; February 2, 2009 at 9:20 PM
Alanna said...: Oh good! I'm always so glad when he gets to come back you his wonderful loving home! Good luck!; February 2, 2009 at 9:35 PM
Becca said...: I hope that he continues to get better! You are in our prayers!; February 2, 2009 at 10:17 PM
Devon said...: YAY! I'm so excited for you guys!!!!; February 2, 2009 at 10:27 PM
Tara Bennett said...: Hooray for home sweet home! And that 'hug' is simply fantastic! He looks much better, and I'm sure he'll thrive even more when he's in the comforts of his own room!; February 2, 2009 at 10:59 PM
Kelly said...: Yay for Caleb! We are so happy that he gets to go home! I bet he is soo excited to play with is brothers.; February 3, 2009 at 12:06 AM
shirlgirl said...: Glad he's coming home. Oh, those adorable cheeks. I just want to bite them! But, you can kiss them for me. Love to you. And Caleb, good work, sweet boy. You'll be so happy to be home with Mom, Dad, and your brothers. Keep up the good work.; February 3, 2009 at 7:27 AM
The Marrott Family said...: i've been praying for your little guy! I am so glad he is coming home! You're an amazing mother April! You inspire me! lots of love from the Marrotts!; February 3, 2009 at 8:13 AM
Becky said...: LOVE the pictures. Such a sweet, handsome boy. Cheers to Caleb for healing so well. I know you'll take such GREAT care of him at home. You ARE an amazing mother.♥; February 3, 2009 at 8:35 AM
Kel said...: Wonderful!!!; February 3, 2009 at 9:54 AM
Anonymous said...: So glad his surgery went well and he can come back home! What a beautiful, precious family you have!; February 3, 2009 at 10:16 AM
a.men said...: April, Normally I just lurk on your blogs, but I have been so touched by the story of your little guy I can no longer lurk, but must comment. Thank you so much for sharing his and your story with us. You are such a great mom and I admire you so much. Thanks for being a wonderful example. You are always so positive in spite of the many challenges you face. God bless you! Aprel; February 3, 2009 at 10:36 AM
Junior said...: So glad to hear he is coming home.
God bless; February 3, 2009 at 7:15 PM

Prayer for Caleb

(written by Caleb's Grandma in her weekly column -2008-)

In my family we have a secret code to communicate our love for each other when we are out in public. We wink. When one of us is about to perform or speak, we look for a family member’s face in the crowd. Then we wink at each other. Closing one eye and winking is our secret code for saying, “I love you. You can do it. You’re wonderful.”

About three years ago, my grandson Caleb was born into our family. He must have known before birth that he would never be able to speak to us because he was born with one eyelid permanently closed. So, he is always “winking” at us, always communicating, “I love you. You can do it. You’re wonderful.”

Caleb has one eye lid permanently closed because he is missing one of his eyes . . . and he is also missing his brain. All the doctors said he would die soon after birth. They were wrong. Caleb is three years old. He is a medical miracle. The doctors say he can’t see, hear, speak, think or move. Those who know and love Caleb understand he has his own unique way of experiencing the world and communicating his love to those around him.

After Caleb was born the hospice people told us to buy a burial plot and continually warned us of his imminent death. We soon learned you can not live well in a state of fear and sadness. We decided we could spend Caleb’s entire life anxious and scared he might die at any moment, or we could celebrate each day we were blessed to have him with us. In the beginning, my daughter April celebrated Caleb’s birthday every week instead of every year with balloons and cupcakes because we simply did not know how long we would have him with us. We stopped the cupcakes after we gained ten pounds, but the celebrating goes on.

We all prayed for a miracle when we first learned about Caleb’s condition. We got one. Caleb’s birth, life and mission have had a deep and lasting impact on our lives. His spirit, eternal identity and most of all the loving, individual relationship he has with each of us is truly a miracle. Because of Caleb we know that each of us has a divine purpose and that the physical body is a sacred gift we should never take for granted. We better understand the worth of a soul and the resiliency of the human spirit.

Caleb’s five year old brother Matthew said, “Grandma. The doctors said Caleb was going to die, but he didn’t. That’s the first miracle I ever saw!”

Sometimes Caleb’s baby brother Mitchell pulls out his feeding tube while they hold hands riding together in their double stroller. Sometimes the only intervention that can get Caleb’s heart rate up is when his older brothers Josh and Matty crawl in his crib, hug him and sing, “I am a Child of God.” ...If you have a moment please offer a prayer for the little boy who has never been able to utter a single word and yet has taught everyone who knows and loves him – all the secrets of a rich and meaningful life.