Do not think for a moment that I will be letting all of you out there who we do not yet know off the hook so easily. I fully intend to continue the blog. I was thinking tho that I will more than likely take it down to one day a week as soon as we arrive back home. Sunday is the day! This has been a two way street for me - I suspect that you all feel that you are the ones who gained from this blog but I seriously have to say that I could not have made it this far without all of the supportive comments from all of you. There were many times when Caleb lay lifeless and I would be stuck alone with my terrifying thoughts till I clicked on the blog and found just the right words to sustain me, encouraging thoughts to help me fight back tears, comments which brought a smile and valuable insights that brought back faith for another day. I have come to love you all - the old familiar names and the new and each day I lit up as I saw the return of familiar names - all of you out there, signing on to guide me through. Bless you.
I will be expecting a call, a visit or whatever you are comfortable with when you next arrive in Fleet. Do not be shy!
Caleb was running through his drills today - we walk, we talk, we work out with weights. We laugh. He is very steady on his feet now and was actually out canoeing today. His speech therapist was flipping cards with familiar activities drawn on them . He was responding correctly; "walking, pushing a baby, going to the store". The next card was a picture of a white man and a black man shaking hands. Caleb looked up at Erin and said "inter-racial harmony"! I think we are making progress.
Caleb's dinner tray just arrived and I thought to myself-- each day life is like a menu put in front of me-I get to choose what the plate looks like when it arrives. I am trying to order spicy things, juicy, succulent things. I am ordering up love and seasoning it with passion, I am insisting on quality and have asked for a doggy bag full of compassion to go!
Can't wait to hear your orders! Love, mumsie
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52 comments:
Awesome. Ya think he learned that phrase in Lisa B's class? Or maybe from Eric Sewars & his steel drum band ? Or just growing up in Wellfleet where the Jamacian conection goes back generations? Racial harmony indeed. How cool is that! Go Caleb! You're aceing all your tests!
Thank you, Sharyn. I'm sure many of my fellow cyber-people who have been along for this journey share my hope, that we will have the privilege of meeting you and Caleb (and for that matter, each other) someday. Perhaps next summer, if the time seems right by then, there could be a big wild-ass party with Caleb as the guest of honor. I'll bet every blogger who possibly can would find a way to be there!
Jerry G
Our house on Drummer Cove is finished. The lilac bush you transplanted for us over a year ago is thriving. (We named it Caleb!) You and your son are going home.
All is well!
Can't wait to get to the Fleet again, we won't be shy.
Namaste,
Diane and Jim
CANOEING, CANOEING!!!??? One word, AWESOME...can surfing be far behind????? Sharyn, you rock, Caleb- you rock even harder!
GO SOX-
Audrey
So glad to hear the BIG BAD LEB is going to be home in fleet so soon!! All my love and prayers!
Sharyn...We look forward to our vacation in Fleet again next summer. It would be so nice to meet Caleb. My friend who owns the house in Fleet where we will be staying knows Shaye. He has a beautiful photo hanging in his office here in Northampton that was taken by Shaye.
Peggy from Western Massachusetts
Sharyn -
I'm not sure how we can make it happen - but I would love to hold you to your offer to have our families (or some of the members) meet next summer - when our family arrives to share a tiny slice of YOUR heaven!!
I have shared earlier that our entire family became a bit obsessed with "that Caleb Potter guy" this past summer and I still give my children updates on his progress - they will run over to the computer and look at his picture and smile when they hear he is doing well.....something just drew us to him and your family....
I have been in my own sort of "funk" lately and have not posted more here - but I have been reading and checking on your amazing boy's progress every day.
What a HUGE smile I just got from reading Caleb's answer to that card - he's coming back for sure - and you don't need to know him personally to know THAT!!
I have cyber-bonded with you these weeks and months through your strengh,fierce protectivness and poetic outlook on life.......I have 3 children, 1 daughter and 2 sons - and there is no bond like the one between a mother and her child.....and you can be sure that the strength YOU have, was passed down to your children and served right back up to YOU, by THEM during this time......the circle is unbroken...and Caleb and you and your other boys have proven that!
I know you will keep on being the incredible family you are...and I will celebrate with you(as many others will) when you bring your boy HOME!!!!
I'll let you know when to keep an eye out for us -sometime in mid August!! There is no town for us other than Wellfleet each year, and all I have read and cried at and laughed at here on this blog reinforces WHY we are so drawn every year. Sometimes the body just "knows" when it's in the right place, without knowing why - thanks for illuminating some of the WHY we feel Wellfleet is our home!!
- An out of place New Yorker :)
Sharyn, You are just too cool!
You certainly spice things up for all of us that are glued to your words.
I look forward to meeting up with you and many of the other bloggers, but for now, you have a lot on your plate.
I have often thought of Caleb's journey. If he were out on his board, facing a huge wave...would he duck under, would he hold on, get hit and come back up looking for a better wave, or would he spin around quick and go for the wild ride?
After learning so much about the Potter boys I have no doubt, whatever his decision, he'd have no regrets.
great news, caleb and sharyn,!
sounds like you're going to both be home sooner than later, which is just great. I know that everyone in town will be so happy to see two smiling faces that everyone has missed so much!
allison + chopper
a dish of love and passion, and a doggy bag of compassion to go. Dear Sharyn-- you need it, Caleb needs it, we all need it. You said it. xx
Ya know, I'm kind of sad to think that I won't be able to know what's happening every day. Selfish of me I know. I'm so happy for you and Caleb and the rest of your family and friends. I will miss you and promise to continue to check in. It's funny but I too have grown to love all of you and letting go of the daily life this blog has taken on will be sad for me as it might be for others too. I'm grateful to have my own wonderful family and friends and each of you on this blog are included now in that family. Namaste and sweet dreams to all tonight.
Lesa
Hi Sharyn,
Glad to hear your chipper tone tonight! That's the Sharyn I know...
Here's my order.
One shit eating grin from Caleb...
One wise ass smile from Sharyn...
That will fill me up!
Check please.
Kevin
This is such wonderful news Sharyn.
So excited for all of you! Cape Cod is ready for you to all come home.
If all went well today, the Wellfleet DPW is picking up the Stella Pink Dogwood Tree my family "won" in the Richardson Family Farm Raffle Fundraiser for Caleb. We are donating it in honor of your family and all the Townies in Fleet (and "virtual townies" too!) who rallied round your beautiful son. It will be planted in Bakers Field for all to enjoy for years to come.
Love, Nora, Scott, & baby Nathaniel Eldredge
Hey, I wrote this summer during our annual Wellfleet vacation and offered prayer, alongside the hundreds of people doing the same. Prayer always makes a difference. I am supposed to be working but Caleb came into my thoughts...so happy to see what time has done and how your circle of friends has done nothing but gain strength. It is my great joy to see that you're headed home. It will be a great Thanksgiving. Thanks for all the heartfelt joy you've given us.
Sharyn and Wellfleet family - we wanted to let you know that we are still keeping you all in prayer daily. So thrilled to hear you will soon be back in your beloved town. Judith/family Rochester, NY
Dear Sharyn,
No letting off the hook necessary. WE are there for YOU in whatever way you need us to be.
You have all come so far! You know, your family will never be the same....bonds have been formed that will serve you all so well for years to come. Your community there in Fleet is not going anywhere, and the town has grown through this expereince, right along with all of you. Let me just say what wonderful friends you have there in your home town..they will be SO HAPPY to have you home Caleb....they're holding their breath til you arrive...and SPUDS won't be able to contain himself(?). Kai and Max are the best brothers ever, and have been so in step with you. You guys are something else! Quite the TRIO....Jennie, what a luv. She has been a trouper, and has shown how much she truly cares for you Caleb. Her photos of you have been awesome..we so appreciate being able to connect with you in this manner....You look GREAT!!!!!An Jan, your boys are precious, but you already know that....It has been a real group effort. There may be challenges ahead, but you all will be FINE!
Just know that you all are never far from thought.
Blessings,
In Love and Light,
Melinda
Mumsie...
I love you.. your words are very warm. Caleb- bill.. you amaze me/us each new day. Glad to hear things are mellow, yet eventful, & flowing.
Feliz Noche... xo. Clance
Dear Sharyn:
My order will be a huge plate filled with familiar sounds, smells and sights...home sweet home and top it off with a desert of peace and a sigh of relief...my family and I will miss your daily updates but will be thrilled to check in on Sundays and rest assured if there is an open door or grand meeting of the bloggers (familiar friends and new) we would love to connect...All the best to you Sharyn, Caleb, and the rest of your awesome circle of friends and family...I commented earlier today on yesterday's blog and just read today's and had to comment again because it really brought a smile to my lips...the human spirit is amazing...go Caleb!!!
Sweet Dreams to you!!
A mom in Maryland :)
Sharyn, I love Caleb's description of the black and white man shaking hands. It not only shows how well his brain is healing---it also shows his inner values.
I will keep reading the blog and would love to meet you and your family and the rest of this community next summer---if that works for you and your family.
Shayn,
Thanks for letting us take this journey with you! Your writing has alway seemed so familiar...I see so much of myself and my family in your writings about you and yours. Especially the relationship of you and your boys...so much like me and my little boy. I see so much of what is and what will or may be. You and your journey with Caleb has given me strength, hope and a realization of what is truly important in life when I too was going through a tough time. Like I have written before..you have been an inspiration to mothers everywhere! You give moms a great name! That DNA...you guys rock! I am so happy Caleb is doing so well...it is going to be great to be home. Just know that like so many others around the world, there is someone here in Miami that has been with you all through this journey...reading, crying, worrying, smiling, cheering, hoping and praying! So if you guys are ever in Miami (I know it's not Fleet but...) give me a call. Miami could definitely use a Yellowbeard! ARRRRRRRRRRRR!
Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with you all!
TC
Keep it up Yellowbeard you are kicking butt! You go Caleb!
Sharyn:
You always write well, but some days, your writing simply glistens and glows. So glad I checked the blog before heading off to bed. Made my day.
I've posted comments a few times, first as NY Mom, and then, after I moved to Wellfleet, as NY/Wellfleet Mom. I know you have an army of long-time friends to lend a helping hand once you and Caleb get back to Wellfleet, but should you need an extra pair of hands at some point, please contact me. I will be glad to help in any way that I can. You can e-mail me at fleet87@gmail.com
NY/Wellfleet Mom (Jan Morrissey)
It is YOU who have inspired us so!
A Cape Cod Faithful AND
Mother of Three Boys!
every year, i travel for my birthday. and this year (march '08) i want to come to wellfleet. not to meet you, or meet caleb... although my heart does burn bright and fast for both of you and yours. i want to come because of that love that your community gave for all that time. bless you and yours and all that your little cape town has to show the rest of the world... i hope to one day experience it first hand.
This has been an experience like no other I have ever had. The love , empathy, and compassion on these pages have been phenomenal. There is no way that any of us could come away from this untouched, and I thank you for having the strength and fortitude to hold us with you on this remarkable journey. I know that none of us will ever be the same. My heart is just overflowing with joy, knowing that you are all going home......I expect to see a warm, brilliant light in the sky on Caleb's first night back.....a light full of love, relief,and the comfort of home....the glow will shine down on all of us, and will be replenished weekly.....Sunday could not be more aptly named. It has been an honor to walk this path with you and your high spirited family and friends. I envision a sort of family reunion on a beautiful Cape Cod day with all of us wearing name tags, and wandering around meeting each other. What a powerful group we would be! The air would crackle and spark with the energy output!
As far as the menu goes.....I'll have what you're having......
As always,with hope,
peg from PA
Sharyn
We all would greatly appreciate a weekly update, although I personally will be going thru withdrawl. I have been reading everyday. What an experience it has been. Many tears, lots of giggles, but always, always, sending back much love hope, and many many prayers for all of you. You are an amazing woman, with an amazing family. Time to get your life back to normal, and enjoy the holiday season at home. I wish great things for Caleb, it will make such a difference for him to be at home. God bless and good luck.
Peace and love to all friends family and bloggers.
Thank you Sharyn - again you started my day with tears of joy. Can't wait to see you and Caleb back in Wellfleet and officially meet you both. As a new Fleetian (dare I call myself that yet)I've seen both of you from afar, but will not hesitate now to introduce myself. And I'll also be looking for your friends and family for anythingi at all I can do to help.
Again I sit and read and your blog brings tears to my eyes! Great to hear of the continued progress! I mentioned a few weeks ago that I had planted my yearly garden and dedicated it to Caleb....it as well is making continued progress! (We have to plant in the Fall and Winter in South Florida so it can survive). I think of you and your family and say a special prayer everyday when I go and check it's progress! I hope that if you all ever make it down here that you look me up! We'll take you all out fishing, surfing etc. We are right at the beach! And a final note - I have 3 boys (14, 14 and 8) and I keep them up to date on what is going on with Caleb. Every year at the elementary they have a "Jump for Heart" drive where the kids collect donations and jump rope for the American Heart Association. My 8 year old is in 3rd grade and for some reason takes it VERY seriously every year. It is coming up in November and the donation envelope came home this week. The other night we were filling in the blanks on his envelope and there was a spot that said "I am jumping for.....
". When we got to that blank he looked at me and said, "Mom, can I jump for that boy that got hurt?".......yeah, I think you have touched some lives here...Thank you! Good luck with your move back home!
What a great entry - thank you so much, Sharyn.
Sunday is a perfect day to write on the blog... and for all of us to read it.
Your order sounds just right for me - I would just add a taste of honesty to it (for a good flavor)
Laura
perfect.
LOVE, settie
again your parting words are just wonderful..... thank you. i am so happy for your return to your beloved fleet, and for your thoughts on continuing the weekly updates for us cyber friends.... if you ever do have that get together, i will do my best to get there for it. it's only a 4 hour drive to wellfleet :)
keep progressing caleb, it sounds like you are doing great!
still keeping you all in my heart!
amy in ct
Seems it's all been said but I have to add that your willingness to open up and share this journey without knowing the outcome has somehow given me strength to face some ongoing challenges in my life... and to trust that there are people willing to support us without judgement... this has been a gift... for you, and for us. Thank you Sharyn
Sharyn, Thank you for the comments.
Several weeks ago when you all were experiencing a darker moment I remember posting after spending the afternoon kayaking on one of our Berkshire rivers. The feeling and sounds of the winds through the trees seemed to say "Caleb will be ok", in response to my mantra for healing. (sorry if this sounds too strange).
It is poetic to hear that on this sunny fall day that Caleb is himself out on the water.
An absolutely wonderful wonderful image.
Sharyn, we are here as we have been. If the opportunity comes to meet you all on a future trip, that would be nice.
You enjoy this glorious day as well.
J
Thank you Sharyn, for sharing all the heartache, trials and humor of this journey. Caleb, you are amazing and give such hope to others working thru their own stuff, (and we all have stuff). Your progress has been remarkable and your zeal for life contagious.
I found this one day about two months ago when I was reading and kept meaning to post it:
"We ask ourselves, WHO am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, WHO are YOU NOT to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small DOSN'T serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to manifest the glory of God that is within us. ALL of us. And as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
-Nelson Mandella '94
Sharyn- You are amazing!!
Love always,
P-town girl
Hi SHARYN!!! :)
So glad to hear that all of the inspirational words have uplifted your spirits. I, occasionally, look through the other blogger's comments and am too inspired by the words of many. We have all built a wonderful community on here. I'm proud of all that have stuck by Caleb and the blog, almost religiously, since the Fourth of July.
Hope that you are still doing well?!?!?!!! By the amazing blog that you wrote today....all seems well in your World...in Bean-Town...at Spaulding. That's AWESOME that Caleb was able to go out and go canoeing yesterday...I'M JEALOUS! I was just talking the other day about getting into a canoe and raging around.
Tell Caleb WE said, "Hello Lad"!!!
~Nicole and the Fam
Ain' t that good news?! Welcome Home, soon, to Caleb and Sharyn and the brothers and Jan and all of us whose hearts have been divided between Beantown and W'fleet these several many months. I know the word is spreading joyfully across land and sea on the tongues of whales and dolphins and seals and gulls and coyotes and you and me:"Caleb is coming home!!!"...ain't that good news.
Amen to everything that has been said, but especially the comments of Peg from PA and P'Town girl. Love to all, Alycia
Thanks for another wonderfully uplifting entry! I had to let you know that you were in a dream of mine last night (even though I've never seen you in person!), across a room full of celebrating people, mainly women and children. You gestured for me to join you and a couple of your friends at a table, and I had a blast talking with you, eating yummy pasta, drinking fine wine, and laughing as hard as I ever have....I woke up with a smile on my lips.:) Your story and Caleb's, the whole Fleet family's story, has moved me very much, and I do hope to one day meet you!
Hugs and love from Pam in VT
Sharyn -
I am beyond thrilled for you and Caleb and all of your family (us new and distant members included!) and fully intend to call when I'm next en route to Wellfleet! I can't help but feel like I already know you and am looking forward with great joy to a reunion of sorts!
I was driving eastward on the road home from work last night at dusk and was blown away by the simultaneous appearance of the fiery orange setting sun and the biggest, most luminous rising moon - fuller than full seems possible... one in the rear view mirror and one hanging enormous and beyond beautiful just above the horizon out the windshield. Life and love and the planet never cease to amaze me. You and Caleb and the connections you've forged and the insights you've shared through the last 4 months never cease to amaze me...and I'm humbled and grateful to be part of your cyber tribe.
I second the suggestion for a meeting/reunion of some kind for us all - The idea of connecting faces and voices to all the names here is
one that deserves some serious consideration. (and - forgive this aside - but I'm loving Lisa B. And Deirdre and Nicole et al from afar and I'm completely smitten with Kevin's wise ass-ness! I can't wait to experience them all in person!)
With hearty wishes for a smooth journey home and an uneventful settling in and Lots and Lots of Love,
Susan
Oh, and P.S. -
My recipe:
A heap of faith, a consistent dose of Cape light and salt air, a heart wide open to whatever the day brings, a generous pinch of sass and spunk, some riotous laughter and free flowing tears, and as much fierce mother love as the bowl can hold!
driving past the altar square this morning i thought it looked bedraggled.
maybe we can hold onto it until the lad arrives home so that he can see it & as scrooge has wished...dismantle it himself. personally i think the blog has become the altar at this point. it has been a tremendous asset to fleet but i think it's time has passed.
some of you may or may not agree but this is my opinion. i remember when the topic was first raised by lb in one of the circles in approx august...we jokingly said, "let's keep it till oyster fest!"...that seemed far away...the fest has come & gone & i think the need for the altar has as well. there are dying plants surrounding it and it is not a pretty or inviting site.
FRIENDS of caleb let's clean it up!
xoxoxoxoox
p.s.
let me clarify...i meant the altar's time has passed, not the blog.
Dearest Sharyn and Caleb,
So much has been shared - I can only echo what everyone else has already written. Thanks for sharing your journey - it has moved me more than you will ever know. Compassion, strength, wisdom, courage have all been shared here, and give us all such hope and faith in our fellow beings.
Jennie mentioned the Cape Cod Times had been in and taken pictures - they are on the Times' web-site today - you can view them as a slide show. It moved me to tears, as the blogs here often do. I look forward to helping when you get home, and continuing to offer my support, love and prayers for you and your loved ones.
Joan
For Cape Cod times: www.capecodonline.com
Sharyn,
We have all been touched in some way by this wonderful blog. You make us cry and want to be better people, Kevin makes us laugh, Kai makes us all wish we grew up with brothers, Jenni makes us smile & remember when love was new and I could go on, but most importantly, it's been an expressway to Caleb's recovery and a buoy for you.
I can't help but think of how many people could use a support system like this because we've all seen the power of prayer & positive thoughts.
Keep up the good work - looking forward to Sunday updates.
Sharyn,
Sounds like it is time to put those cowboy boots back on if you don't already have them on and
kick butt your way back home to the fleet with the boys. Light up those pumpkins along the way.
Love and more love,
Kolleen
I'll take an RC cola, a moon pie, a dance to michael jackson's "thriller", hmmmm....let's see...oh yeah...and i wanna take a picture of you and the leb walkin' down main street to park it on the bench on a warm fall day! can't WAIT to have you home again (home again, jiggity jig!)! love you, mr. diversity potter boy. lisa
p.p.s......
i don't seriously think caleb can dismantle the altar... it may be something he might be able to witness though!
as for the menu...
all the good stuff,
topped with all the loving vibes from this blog
Thank you for always being so candid. Thank you for opening your heart to all of us and letting us get to know you, your boys, and your friends. Congratulations on the boy coming home, that will be such and amazing journey for you.
I hope you publish this as a book someday, your writing can be shown as an example of healing to others in need.
Good luck, and I look forward to any update you post.
Also thank you to all the guest bloggers, they too have a talent for writing.
J
I was thinking the same thing about the display on the cannon. It doesn't look the same at all. I am sure there are pictures Caleb can see. One night though I drove by and no one was there but all the candles and the lantern were lit and it looked really beautiful.
here's the link to the CCTimes pics
http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/misc?url=/_flash/gallery/gallery.html&Avis=CC&Dato=20071025&Kategori=MEDIA0102&Lopenr=1025001&Ref=PH
Sharyn, I remember being in the prayer circle when Sky told everyone that she was setting up a blog so that we could keep informed about Caleb's condition (so that that burden would be off the family). When I sat at my computer the next day trying to find the blog site little did I know that the blog would become an important part of my routine each day, and that its impact would be felt way beyond the bounds of Wellfleet. Sharyn, I truly believe that it was your willingness to tell it like it is, to be real and to not sugar coat things, that was the impetus for all that the blog has become to so many people (words fail me...but anyone reading this knows what I mean to say ).
I am just so gratful to have been a part of this very special experience. And like so many people who have posted here today, I am happy beyond belief for you and Caleb to be returning home soon. Gail
All right, matey! You are going home! I am so happy for you all. It has been a long road with many twists and turns and bumps, but you did it! Congratulations and best wishes are in order for Caleb, all of his friends and family, the doctors, nurses, therapists, all those who met at the gatherings to pray for you, Caleb, all those out in cyberspace praying and holding our collective breath as we charted your recovery. You are all to be commended for all you did for this wonderful guy. We have never met, but I check this blog a few times a day, keeping track of your recovery.
Best wishes to you all, and keep on blogging so we all know Caleb is OK.
m
xoxo
p.s. AAARRRGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!
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