Wink from Heaven: The Polar Express

Thursday, December 10, 2009

The Polar Express

Dear Caleb,
Today we were able to go on the Polar Express with other "Make a Wish" families. You weren't feeling good enough to come with us this time, but we carried you in our hearts all day. Thank you for being willing to be cozy at home with Daddy while we had a Christmas adventure. Whenever we ring our bells, we will think of you and your special Christmas spirit. We love you Caleb, and we really missed you today.
Love, Mom

6 comments:

Becky said...: What a sweet post - I love how you always find a way to include him. xoxo; December 10, 2009 at 9:39 AM
Tara Bennett said...: Too sweet. I am so grateful that Caleb and other special children like him have truly taught me what it means to believe. I hope Caleb feels better soon! Love you guys!!!; December 10, 2009 at 4:11 PM
Krista said...: Oh, the Polar Express is amazing! We took our kids a few years ago and it was totally magical. So sorry Caleb and Dallan coudn't make it. I wish I could have been there to take care of Caleb so your whole family could go, :( Love you guys! Hope Caleb feels better soon!; December 11, 2009 at 4:39 PM
Jenn said...: I love the Polar Express, we did that a couple of years ago. It's such a fun family outing. So sad that Caleb didn't get to go. I hope he's feeling better soon.; December 11, 2009 at 11:00 PM
Jen said...: Oh, too bad he couldn't go. It seems like you enjoyed it for him. Hope he is feeling better soon.

Jen; December 14, 2009 at 7:49 AM
shirlgirl said...: Make a Wish is a wonderful "gift" to all those special children and their families. I know that Becky and Ben and family are still reaping the benefits of this great organization. So glad that your family could enjoy the day and sorry that Caleb and Dallan couldn't be there with you. I know they were there in your hearts, and glad you had an awesome time.; December 14, 2009 at 5:25 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.