Wink from Heaven: A Full Heart

Sunday, June 12, 2011

A Full Heart

Caleb has been home for over a week, and he has improved each day! We came home needing about 4 liters of oxygen, and now he's down to 1.5 liters. The light has come back into his little eye, and he sneaks us sweet smiles to help us know he's okay.

Our home sounds so much better with hum of his machines,

and we've all been catching up on snuggles and smooches!

When we were admitted to the PICU, I was sure we'd be there for weeks. I don't think I've ever seen him so sick. But I could also feel the power of prayer lifting our spirits. I know Caleb was closely attended by heaven. It is humbling to know that I am a part of a miracle that is so often the combined effort of so many heart felt prayers. Thank you for exercising your faith in our families behalf. Thank you for loving our little boy, and thank you for your prayers. Our hearts are full.

9 comments:

Care said...: I'm so glad to hear he's doing so much better, and that he's got that sparkle back in his eye!

;o) ;o); June 13, 2011 at 9:19 AM
Kelly said...: I'm glad he's doing so much better. Yay!; June 13, 2011 at 12:53 PM
kelly said...: praise Jesus for his sweet provision and healing!; June 13, 2011 at 4:03 PM
The Kings said...: I'm SO glad he is so much better!!!; June 13, 2011 at 5:49 PM
Becky said...: It really is a miracle! I can't believe how fast he recovered. Actually I CAN believe it. Caleb's a fighter! xoxo; June 16, 2011 at 6:17 AM
shirlgirl said...: So glad Caleb is doing so well, and I know that makes everyone in the family happy that he is feeling so much better.; June 16, 2011 at 5:37 PM
Anonymous said...: He sure is an amazing boy!; June 17, 2011 at 3:21 AM
The VW's said...: So glad he's back home and doing well! Hugs!!!; June 17, 2011 at 8:49 AM
Emily said...: My heart is happy it was such a quick stay and that Caleb is at home with you guys again. Sure love you!; June 19, 2011 at 8:03 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.