Wink from Heaven: A tribute to my brothers

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

A tribute to my brothers

(from Caleb's heart, transcribed by his mother)

I have really special brothers.
Heavenly Father knew he could trust them to love me completely.
They see me with their hearts.
They hold my arms around their necks so that I can hug them.
They crawl into my crib and cuddle me when I need it most.
They visit with me even when I can't speak with words.
They listen with their hearts.
Sometimes they worry about me when I'm in the hospital.
Sometimes it's hard for them to see me with new bandages on my body.
Sometimes they worry that they might hurt me
so they touch me with their hearts.
They are so good to me.
They don't complain.
They often don't realize the many ways they sacrifice for me.
They just love me because I'm their brother, and that's what brothers do.
I know that someday, my brothers and I will be with the Savior,
and He will heal me.
But I don't think I will seem much different to them,
because they see me as I really am.
But I will love to be able to hug them back
and thank them with words for all they did for me.
Because they are my brothers
and I love them with all of my heart.
Love Caleb

10 comments:

Devon said...: That is too precious...you made me tear up. You're right, though. Someday Caleb will be able to hug them back...he is truly blessed to have such an amazing family taking care of him.

I LOVE the picture--I looked high and low for BYU stuff for Dakin but couldn't find anything. I guess that's what I get for not staying around there! We're in TX, so there's plenty of baby Longhorn stuff...ah well.; February 8, 2009 at 3:36 PM
Becky said...: What a neat tribute. Made me teary to read that. You lost me at "I know that someday, my brothers and I will be with the Savior,and He will heal me. But I don't think I will seem much different to them, because they see me as I really am." SO TRUE! Very touching words. Thank you for sharing that today.; February 8, 2009 at 3:54 PM
Junior said...: Such a special tribute, it brought tears to my eyes. You can see the love that Caleb's brothers have for him shining through their faces.
Beautiful picture; February 8, 2009 at 7:06 PM
Janene Baadsgaard said...: Thank you April. Caleb has given you a wise and loving voice and you have given him one as well. You and Caleb make a shining team. I LOVE YOU. MOM; February 8, 2009 at 9:26 PM
shirlgirl said...: A wonderful tribute to your boys. They all look so happy with Caleb in their laps. It is wonderful to see how much they care for their brother. The caring that you give him has rubbed off on them. Children reap what you sow and it is evident here. Much love to all of you.; February 9, 2009 at 5:21 AM
Lori Moody said...: That was so sweet April! I can't wait to show Darran that picture. He will be so proud of his BYU nephews. He was just telling Eliza about them last night and how he can't wait for her to meet them! We love you!; February 9, 2009 at 11:27 AM
Rodney and Deborah said...: What a neat tribute to the brothers, if Caleb could speak I know that is what he would say to them, it brought tears to my eyes. They are so cute together, you sure can tell they are brothers all the way. The Briggs Family; February 10, 2009 at 1:56 PM
Kel said...: I can't think of anything more precious than your family relationships or that darling photo of the boys.; February 10, 2009 at 2:39 PM
Becca said...: That was amazing! He truly is a beautiful little boy! Your family is so sweet; February 10, 2009 at 9:02 PM
Tara Bennett said...: This is so precious, April. Thank you for sharing such touching insight. You are lucky to have such precious children, and they are lucky to have such an amazing mom!; February 11, 2009 at 4:57 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.