Wink from Heaven: The blessing of an ear infection

Sunday, January 17, 2010

The blessing of an ear infection

Having a little boy like Caleb often means there are no easy answers. There have been many times when we've taken him to the doctor because we know that he's hurting, but even they have not been able to figure out the cause. It can be challenging when there are so few answers.
A week or so before Christmas we could see that Caleb wasn't feeling well. We took him to the doctor and found out he had an ear infection. I was so relieved- not that he had an infection, but because there was an answer!
This infection has been a stubborn one. We've returned to the doctor 3 times, and we're now on our 3rd antibiotic. However, I'm so thankful that we know why he isn't feeling well and that we have the rescources to combat it. Having an answer is truly a blessing!
Dear Caleb,
Thank you for teaching me about hidden blessings.
I love you so very much.
Love
Mom

6 comments:

Tara Bennett said...: Your silver-lining attitude is inspiring. Caleb teaches all of us so much. What a sweet boy. I'm so glad to know him :); January 18, 2010 at 3:18 AM
Junior said...: Caleb, we hope your ear feels better soon.; January 18, 2010 at 8:45 AM
Becky said...: Third time is a charm. :) (I hope) Ear infections HURT...so we are praying that your ear heals. xoxo; January 18, 2010 at 3:31 PM
Candace said...: I am right there with you, Momma! I am so sorry that the ear infection has persisted. But you sure have a good attitude!; January 18, 2010 at 5:11 PM
arianne said...: I hope they can give him something that works. Love you!; January 19, 2010 at 7:35 PM
Emily said...: I'm praying this antibiotic does the trick. Ear infections are terrible. I can totally relate to the relief of KNOWING what is wrong with your child. So often you know they aren't feeling well, but you don't know why! It's enough to make me crazy some days.; January 20, 2010 at 6:56 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.