Wink from Heaven: Grooming

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Grooming

Caleb has really scaly skin. I've tried all kinds of lotions, potions and exfoliating cream. Caleb definitely gets the spa treatment, but to no avail. Until... Matthew came on the scene. He is just like a little monkey and pick- pick- picks at Caleb until the dry scales flake off and smooth skin appears. Who knew all Caleb needed was a little bit of brotherly grooming! ;)

8 comments:

Candace said...: Tooo funny! I just love your family, April! Caleb is one blessed little boy!; June 29, 2010 at 2:33 PM
Lacey said...: It was so fun to see you at the movie! Jax has super dry feet and nothing helps either except my fingers!! We think his is from horrible circulation in his feet!; June 29, 2010 at 4:32 PM
The VW's said...: AWWW! Such a sweet big brother! I love piggie-toe pictures! So cute! Hugs!!!; June 29, 2010 at 4:32 PM
arianne said...: I am the picker in our family. Ha ha. Matthew must have got the same gene.; June 29, 2010 at 5:36 PM
Junior said...: so sweet, Caleb has some great big brothers. Hugs; June 29, 2010 at 7:00 PM
The Kings said...: awww such a sweet brother. Caleb's feet look EXACTLY like Noah's chubby little feet. So cute!; June 30, 2010 at 12:32 AM
Lisa Christine said...: Caleb is lucky to have his brothers, just like Elisabeth is lucky to have her sisters.

What a blessing siblings are :)

(I saw your inlaws last night and it got me thinking of you and what a dear friend you have been to me for the last 3+ years. Thanks! :) ); June 30, 2010 at 7:16 AM
Becky said...: That's true love. :) Stevie was my picker too. Very cute.; July 1, 2010 at 2:57 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.