Wink from Heaven: Caleb's Pets

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Caleb's Pets

Last summer our little pet rabbit "Lu Lu" died. Oh we were so tender. It was my children's first experience seeing something they dearly loved die. My sweet boys carved Lu Lu's name onto a little headstone they made for her so she would always have a special place. In a quiet part of my heart I wondered if this experience was preparing them to lose their brother... Seven months later Caleb passed away. One of the first things Mitchell asked after Caleb died was, "Do you think Caleb gets to have Lu Lu for a pet in heaven?"

For Easter Caleb got a little brown rabbit to share with his brothers so they could know he was taking good care of Lu Lu for them.

This past weekend our little special goldfish died. Our boys were so tender about it. They didn't want to flush him, so we we buried him next to Lu Lu.

The first thing Mitchell said was, "Now Caleb gets to have a pet gold fish too!"

7 comments:

Care said...: Oh no, your special fishy friend! I'm so sorry. But, Caleb has gained another great pet! :o) What a great viewpoint your boys have!

Sure love your family!; May 20, 2012 at 3:19 PM
Lisa said...: Heaven is so close when it becomes so personal; May 20, 2012 at 3:57 PM
The Kings said...: So glad that Caleb is looking after them. Hope you are all doing okay - I think of you all the time. xxx; May 20, 2012 at 11:54 PM
arianne said...: The goldfish died! The most pampered goldfish in America? I'm so sorry!; May 21, 2012 at 8:14 AM
Shannon C said...: Oh, yes he does get to have a goldfish too!!! Such a sweet, tender story!; May 21, 2012 at 7:05 PM
Tara Bennett said...: Such a sweet post for so many reasons! I bet Caleb loves taking care of the family's pets!; May 21, 2012 at 7:34 PM
Becky said...: I love that little boy of yours. He has grand perspective. xo; June 12, 2012 at 10:19 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.