Saturday, October 8, 2011

My first dream of Caleb....

Last night I had a horrible nightmare...I kept screaming "no" & hugging Steven. I don't remember what it was about but Steven said it lasted a while. I do remember the feeling of panic. I fell back to sleep. Then in the morning I had another dream...this time I remember so vividly our sweet baby Caleb. He was smiling soooo big & sitting on daddy's lap...but he was breathing hard & could see his chest pulling with each breath. I felt like he was saying to me that he was alright. His big smiles always gave me so much hope that everything would be ok. He was absolutely perfect to me...I never focused on his ailments....always celebrated his achievements & milestones. But he did have some issues & he was reminding me of that....that he put up such a great fight. He did so well & overcame things that just amazed me. But now he can rest & I have to find comfort...peace in that somehow. We are so proud of him & love him so very much. I know satan is trying to steal my peace & fill me with doubts & saddness. I won't let him do it....I will fight, my son taught me how :)

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Being Strong?

People often say that I am so strong.....I really am not. I wonder from moment to moment how life will go on. How do I find joy in my life. Will there be a day that I don't feel like this? I have so much to be grateful for. I had my son for 2 1/2 yrs. I knew his life would be short....but it is still not easy. I miss him more and more each day. It gets harder with each passing moment...not easier. I don't want sorrow or pity...I want a bandaid sent from Heaven...I want to not hurt so incredibly bad. My son brought us so much laughter, love & happiness...so what is it that I want? Would it have been easier if he had a hard life?? Of course not! So where are the answers...what am I trying to find? I look at this world so differently now. This isn't my home...just a rest stop. I want to feel like I use to. So abundantly Blessed. Selfish, I know. Grief is such a strange thing. I find myself missing things that just don't make a lot of sense: I haven't been to the grocery store since before Caleb went into the hospital. When I use to go to Publix after Steven got home, it would be my quiet time. I would go shop, call when on my way home, walk in, see Caleb sitting with daddy & just smile. It was my routine. I miss the hospital, the dr's & the nurses. I can't go toward Gainesville because I start having anxiety. I miss parking in handicap spaces...not because of conveniences...but it meant I had a really special baby on board. When I leave the house my anxiety level goes through the roof...I want to be at home...where I had been for 3 yrs. I don't know of any place more important to be than at home and caring for my son. I don't need fancy clothes, glamorous hair, or a night out on the town. But I guess I need to learn how to be a wife and mother again. Strange huh?? Eventhough, I know I feel like I'm the only one going through this, I know that I'm not..there have been those who walked this road before me, with me & will go through it after me. I pray for joy, laughter, love & life....not only for myself but for everyone around me who is also grieving. I miss my son...I miss his smile....there are just no answers...just time I guess, I pray.

Monday, October 3, 2011

Caleb's Life Story by Jacqui Janetzko

Thank you to the Ocala Star Banner for telling Caleb's story. Especially Jacqui Janetzko & Marian Rizzo, for telling about his journey. And that of his precious trisomy friends. It brought so much awareness about t18. Caleb is missed so much, because of your stories, we can continue to celebrate his beautiful life and show that our children are such a huge part of our families, friends & community. Much love and appreciation from our family.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Letter to my beautiful son..I read this at his Celebration



Dear Caleb,
I remember the day I was getting ready to head to the hospital to meet you for the first time & I was talking with God. I had prayed to have a couple of moments with you...to hold you. Then I got up the nerve to try & renegotiate with God, & asked Him for 2 hours. And if that was not to be His will, to please hold me and our family so tight to handle whatever may come. Never in my most wonderful dreams did I think I would have 2 1/2 years with you. I got to watch you grow into this amazing lil' boy. So full of life, never knowing your earthly body was broken...because your beautiful spirit shined brightly. Your smiles were infectious....no one was safe from them....they would instantly smile with you. I loved waking you up every morning with a "hello sunshine", laying you on your blanket, turning on your tree, then your cartoons...we had our routine. I loved our naps, I would lay my head right next to yours so I could feel your breath with mine...we were sharing one breath. I loved nibbling on those cute little toes...they were so perfect.... I loved taking care of you my son...I would've done it a lifetime...I am so honored that God chose us to be your parents...your big brothers will be looking for you everywhere...in the garden, in a rainbow, in a dream...so please watch over them. I wouldn't change one moment.... I would do it all over again. You have brought so many wonderful people into our lives. You've shown so many people how to love...how to live...."You've made God famous" I am so incredibly proud of you with all that you have done in the short life you have been here with us. I could go on and on, you have given us so many wonderful memories. I could sit and talk forever...I promise you that I will continue to tell your story to help others & just to make me smile. But there is one more thing I have to say...I want to thank you and God for giving me those last moments with you. When we knew it was close for you to be going home...as I layed next to you...I asked for one more nap with you...we wereso tired. All of a sudden as we layed there your sats went higher than they had been in days & as I held you in my arms I could feel you become warm again, you opened your eyes for the first time in so long...they looked beautiful and you rubbed your nose as you always did. We layed there for a while....until it was time for you to go from our arms into the arms of Jesus. I will never ever forget that moment & I am so incredibly grateful for that moment.I love you my beautiful son....