Wink from Heaven: Salem Pond

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Salem Pond

I have a special spot in my heart for Salem Pond.
My parents took me to Salem Pond on my first birthday.
Some of my favorite high school memories were at Salem Pond.
Salem Pond was a place of many family reunions.
When my husband and I got engaged, we filmed ourselves at Salem's pond then showed that movie to our families to announce the big news.
Now that we've moved back to my home town, I couldn't let the Summer end without making some memories with my own kids at Salem Pond.

6 comments:

Becky said...: That second picture is SO, SO CUTE! I love his sweet face. What a great place to spend with your kids. :); August 25, 2010 at 2:18 PM
Anonymous said...: Love the idea of making new memories there with your gorgeous family.; August 25, 2010 at 4:51 PM
MP Flory said...: My grandma lives right up the street. I love that place too! Hey...can you email me and let me know if your hubby has any openings in his department? Remember, I told you he has my hubby's dream job? Michelle (conference buddy!); August 25, 2010 at 6:43 PM
Kara Melissa said...: I read your story on kid. What a beautiful boy you have and precious family. God bless.; August 26, 2010 at 7:41 AM
shirlgirl said...: Fun pictures and glad you had a great time at your favorite spot. It's always nice to have a special place to visit.; August 26, 2010 at 1:45 PM
Bugg's mama said...: how fun for all of you! I love nostalgic outings.; August 27, 2010 at 9:27 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.