Wink from Heaven: Disneyland

Monday, March 19, 2012

Disneyland

In June of 2004 Dallan and I packed up our two little boys to begin our first family trip to California! We were headed to Los Angeles for a family wedding and planned to visit Disneyland while we were there! On our way I called my dad and told him we were expecting! The little one we were expecting was our sweet Caleb. He experienced Disneyland tucked right beneath my heart.

Tonight, 7 years later, I am packing up our car for our second family trip to California. This time we all have Caleb tucked in our hearts.

Several days after Caleb passed away Dallan and I knew we needed to do something joyful as a family. We knew we needed to make a happy memory together to help ease the ache in our hearts. We talked about taking the boys to Disneyland but knew we would need to wait for a while and make sure we had covered all of Caleb's funeral expenses.

A few days later Dallan's wonderful boss and his wife came to visit with us. They shared with us that they and Dallan's friends at work were putting together a Disneyland trip for us.

Words cannot express the tender feelings in my heart.

How did they know?

How do we thank people for being an answer to our quiet and tender prayers?

How do we share what a blessing it has been to see our children's hearts lifted as they anticipate such a joyful adventure?

I may never know the specifics of who was involved, but I am praying that each person will be blessed to know in a deeply personal way how dearly they have blessed our family.

In Mitchell's prayers he keeps asking Heavenly Father to help Caleb get resurrected so he can come with us....Even though that prayer might not be answered so quickly... I know Caleb will be with us, and he will be a special part of a joyful memory together... tucked sweetly in our hearts.

12 comments:

Tara Bennett said...: The kindness of others to help your family and Mitchell's sweet prayer are now tucked in my heart. Enjoy this special time. Love you!; March 19, 2012 at 10:24 PM
The Kings said...: oh that is so wonderful! It's my dream to one day take my boys there. Aaron and I had promised them we would after Noah passed away. One day :) Enjoy yourselves and create lots of wonderful memories. I'm sure Caleb will be right by your side.; March 19, 2012 at 11:54 PM
The Johnson Crew said...: I am so excited for your family. There are wonderful people everywhere. Have a great time!

Gayle; March 20, 2012 at 6:58 AM
Jenny said...: Isn't it amazing how Heavenly Father works? How people are placed in our lives? How they are inspired as to what they can specifically do to help ease a burden and calm an aching heart? Though, I suppose I shouldn't be, I'm often in awe of how our Father uses others to help each of us. I'm so happy that you'll have this time as and entire family to have fun and create such great memories. Love you!; March 20, 2012 at 8:13 AM
shirlgirl said...: What a wonderful gift to your family. Have a wonderful time with the boys as you experience the delight in their eyes of all that they see at Disneyland. It is such an awesome park. I know the trip will be a tender one for you, but a much needed one. Sending love and hugs. Aunt Shirley; March 20, 2012 at 8:24 AM
Janene Baadsgaard said...: I hope you have a wonderful time!; March 20, 2012 at 8:59 AM
Jenn said...: So exciting, I hope you guys have a fabulous vacation! It amazes me how so many people can be instruments in Heavenly Father's hands, what a blessing!; March 20, 2012 at 10:17 AM
Brad and Hailey said...: How wonderful that your prayers were answered and your family gets to take that trip! Brought such happy tears to my eyes. What a blessing!; March 20, 2012 at 11:53 AM
Janae said...: What a sweet blessing for your family. Enjoy each other!; March 20, 2012 at 12:42 PM
Jennie said...: I'm so glad you guys get to go. What a fun experience. I hope everyone has a marvelous time. Make sure you hit the little general store outside of the Winnie the Pooh ride exit. They have the best treats and a quiet shaddy spot to eat them. Love you!; March 20, 2012 at 6:37 PM
Bugg's mama said...: What a wonderful time you'll have together, I know it!!! So happy for you & all your boys. xoxo, Bree; March 20, 2012 at 8:17 PM
Sarah said...: What a sweet and thoughtful gift. God does hear our prayers. I'm so happy you were able to make memories, and have him close. xo; April 9, 2012 at 8:52 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.