Wink from Heaven: 25 words

Sunday, September 6, 2009

25 words

Today in Relief Society we had the opportunity to listen to President Monson's talk "Joy in the Journey." This is one of my favorites talks. I love how he taught that we should never let a problem to be solved be more important than a person to be loved. I love how he said that we should focus less on what is missing and instead realize the abundance that surrounds us. I loved his council to make memories, to cherish those around us, and to find joy in our journey now! Today, however, I learned another truth from his inspired words.

Lately, I have been thinking about what I would want my children to hear from me if I knew my time with them was limited. If I only had a few words left, what would I want them to be? President Monson spoke of a man who was a prisoner of war for 2 years and was finally allowed to write a letter to his family. His letter was limited to 25 words or less. That story was so tender to me. I thought about what I would want my 25 words to be. There have been times when my heart has been in agony as I've watched Caleb struggle. I've worried about what I would want my last words to be if I had to say good bye.

As I continued to listen to president Monson's talk, I heard him teach us that the most important thing we can do is to create a legacy of love. It brought my heart peace. I realized I didn't need to worry so much about last words. I needed to continue creating a legacy of love now. And maybe then, if time was short,words wouldn't be so necessary because those who I cherish will already know.

Here is President Monson's talk in it's entirety. It's worth watching again and again.

2 comments:

Becky said...: HE KNOWS! Caleb already knows. What a beautiful message and post today. I've missed you my friend! xoxo; September 7, 2009 at 4:26 PM
Lisa Christine said...: That talk was one that I will never forget. Thank you for sharing it. You're right, it's worth watching again, and again.; September 11, 2009 at 8:58 AM

Post a Comment

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.