Wink from Heaven: Happy Valentines Day!

Monday, February 14, 2011

Happy Valentines Day!

Dear Caleb,

Happy Valentines Day my sweet boy

Words cannot ever truly express the love I have in my heart for you.

I love how you for remind me each day what Heaven feels like.

I love the little ways you show you know I'm your mama.

I love how you smile at me first thing in the morning when you hear my voice.

I love how you are so patient with your little body.

I love how you are true to your mission.

I love how you are a light to all who know you.

I love how you are so pure and untouched by the world.

I love how you lick your lips when I put fruity chapstick on them-

and I love giving you fruity kisses.

I love you just the way you are - from your fluffy little feet to your wee little wink.

I love how you fill my heart to over flowing.

I love you forever,

Mom

13 comments:

Colleen said...: Beautiful!! Happy Valentines Day!; February 14, 2011 at 7:13 AM
Junior said...: Happy valentines Day Caleb, big hugs and lots of love.; February 14, 2011 at 7:26 AM
The VW's said...: Happy Heart Day!!!; February 14, 2011 at 7:58 AM
Lisa Christine said...: That is the sweetest Valentine I have ever read.

(and it got me thinking....I wonder what Elisabeth would thing of fruity chapstick! Good idea!); February 14, 2011 at 8:18 AM
Becky said...: I'm in LOVE with your boy. :) I love the kisses on his cheeks...that makes me giggle. SO CUTE!!! xoxo; February 14, 2011 at 10:52 AM
Rebecca Jackson said...: Happy Valentine's Day to an adorable Heartthrob!; February 14, 2011 at 11:44 AM
the woodwards said...: Cutest Smile EVER xx; February 14, 2011 at 1:11 PM
Lacey said...: Oh look at those sweet kisses on his cheekers!; February 14, 2011 at 8:36 PM
Emily said...: Happy Valentine's Caleb! You are pure love.; February 15, 2011 at 7:29 AM
Angela said...: aww sweet Caleb!!!; February 15, 2011 at 7:44 PM
Barb said...: I love your blog. Whenever I am feeling just a little bit out of sorts, I can read through your blogs and see the cute pictures of Caleb and your family and everything seems better again. Sorry to hear that Caleb has been sick and glad you have the vent so he can be in the best place!
PS I totally love the little bear....so, so, so adorable!; February 15, 2011 at 8:37 PM
shirlgirl said...: Happy Valentine's Day, Caleb, a day late. Love those kisses on those wonderful cheeks. You are precious.; February 16, 2011 at 3:06 PM
Celine said...: Awwww! Happy Valentine's Day!; February 18, 2011 at 1:54 AM

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.