Hi everyone, Lisa B here for you all today.
Yesterday I was so moved by a woman who wrote in that I immediately emailed her asking if I could use some of her blog for us all again today. I am awed by the overwhelming love that spills out of us when we dare enough to really let it! Thank you Susan, and I look forward to meeting you some day...
Susan in Portsmouth, NH said...
For Sharyn -
I have been spending parts of the summer on the cape all of my life - now nearly 50 years. About 7 or 8 years ago I was driving up route 6 with my kids - Hannah and Liam and we spied this fabulous looking group of people gardening outside a bank (I think) by the side of the road. There was this tall, blonde woman in overalls and 3 beautiful blonde boys who were all clearly related. We were smitten on the spot and commented about the loveliness of mom and boys and garden. On our way home from P-town later in the same day we stopped in Wellfleet for art and ice cream and again crossed paths with the beautiful gardeners. We have been referring to this group ever since as the "Wellfleet boys" - they have become for all of us a symbol of the way life can look and they come up in conversation whenever thoughts turn - for us more and more frequently - to the possibility of making the Cape our permanent home. I'm a single mom - have been for a while now - and this mystery woman surrounded by her boys has been a huge part of my consciousness for all these years - a living picture of loving and working beside your children. I follow a blog written by a woman who calls herself "blackbird." She and her family spend a week in Wellfleet every summer and this summer she happened to be there just after Caleb's accident. She referred to Caleb and posted a link in her blog to yours. I followed that link and as I read and scrolled back to the earlier posts all of the little hairs on my body began to stand on end. I realized that you are 'our' Wellfleet mother and Caleb, Max and Kai are 'our' Wellfleet boys and I felt, and continue to feel, an overwhelming connection to you. I've come to the conclusion of late that there really are only, at the very most, 2 degrees of separation between us all - not 6 - and I need you to know that even though we've never met - and most likely never will - you and your children have become an integral part of my little family and you are in our thoughts and in our hearts daily.
I'm certain that with time and the immense support you're receiving from friends, family and community your Caleb will return home to pick up where he left off and complete the circle of love and connectivity that's just waiting for him. Please know that you and yours have been a shining bright spot for me and mine for years.
Love to you all - Susan.
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24 comments:
No fair! Lisa is supposed to write her own blog. If she doesn't (Oysterfest or not) we'll spread word all over Nauset that she didn't complete her assignment.
Thank you thank you thank you for that beautiful example of the closeness we all share daily with or without knowing. As always truth has been told in such eloquence of this blog, day after day this blog holds more love, hope, reality, and connection than a person can often find without looking for it (a lot). Here it is displayed everyday ten fold over and over. WE love you Caleb. so glad you are on the mend, keep up that sass. Lots and Lots of kisses and hugs to the Von Potter/Lindsay and crew
love Rachael
I too was warmed by this, and have a similar story.
Years back while going to see " A Nightmare Before X-mas" my father was buying us candy at the Wellfleet Cinema, and there was literally a bright white light shining in the distance. I looked and there was Sharyn, long blonde hair, a funky outfit, and her little boys trailing behind her all in birth order, Caleb, Kai and Max. It was like mother goose, and her ducklings, eager to enter the same movie as me and my dad.
Honestly from that day I was Lyndsy/Potter addicted, and later on very much embraced by the very same family who to this day has an aura that outshines the sun!
Love you guys so much.. your always on my mind!
Just goes to show, that once again we can be amazed by Caleb, Sharyn, Jan, Kai, and certainly Max. I love hearing all these stories about how adored you are Sharyn from afar, by dear humans who appreciate your beauty along with your boys.
Thanks for posting that Lisa. Love you all..
Thanks Lisa for bringing us back to center. How like you to find a way to direct our focus back to the issue at hand through another's post. Thanks to for reminding us that the way we live our lives touches others in ways we may never know. Thanks to Caleb and family for showing us how far we may come with detrmination, hard work and an ability to have fun/a sense of humor. We all have things to work on. Thank you Sharyn for sharing the trip. love, ann m
WOW! IMPOSSIBLE to NOT get a visual out of that story! I recently planted my yearly vegetable garden (in South Florida this is the only time of year that a garden has a chance to live). It is always one of my favorite days of the year. Sharyn - Your family has been in my thoughts since my friend told me about Caleb's story. We also have never met and probably won't like the author of this story - but, you have entered my family fibers and touched me. Now that I've learned through this blog and Kevin's blog with the picture of you and Caleb that you are also "like to get the earth on your hands girl" and garden - I am dedicating this years garden to Caleb's continued healing. I will think of his growth when I take my at LEAST daily tour of my little garden. You are OBVIOUSLY a very special woman. Thank you! You are in my continued prayers!!! Keep up the strength Caleb! Becky - Deerfield Beach, Florida
That was beautiful. It is so amazing that two families that are different, and from much different places can be connected so closely.
And, it is no wonder that the Potter boys, and Sharyn stood out to this family....They stand out to all who know them as well due to their glowing auras and delightful personalities. The members of the Potter/Lindsay Clan are truely special individuals.
Nicole Miner :)
Address this!
Hey, all I know is, if it were one of my girls in Caleb's place, I would be right there, by her bedside and I'd hope and pray that someone would think beyond themselves to help me to stay there. I wouldnt care if my house was falling down. The only thing that would matter to me, would be that I was there - everyday - as Sharyn is. And THANK GOD we live in a town that is more like extended family, where we all care about each other. One more thing - you reap what you sow. It sure looks to me like Sharyn and her boys have "sowed" a lot of love in this town. It looks like "payback" to me.
**Did Caleb get his Oyster Shell Pirate?
i guess now is the best time to come out of the woodwork, huh? i am hannah (from susan's story) and i'm having trouble thinking of words that could be anybetter than my mom's. after so many years i can still remember seeing your little family and i can remember so distinctly how it felt to be in wellfleet with my little family. reading this blog everyday makes me feel very connected to the place i love and now the people that i want to meet. my thoughts are always with caleb and with your family. he will be home soon with the people he loves but my thoughts will always be with him.
- and I'm blackbird. We keep Caleb and his extended family in our thoughts every day...
We are GUESTS, allowed a peek into this journey, benefitting from the extended love expressed on this blog.........why comment unless it is to add to the beauty? Please keep up the unfiltered, incredibly inspiring tale Sharyn and fellow bloggers....and thank you for letting us in. As always, we send our love and healing wishes....
It really is a small world after all!
Hey Caleb!
Greetings from Newington, CT. I have a strong attachemnt to Wellfleet since I have been going there during August since 1970. I have been following your story for the last several months and I want you to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers every day.
Get well soon bro! Before you know it you'll be back on Whitecrest beach. We're all pulling for you.
I'm looking forward to visiting your booth at the Oyster Fest this weekend.
Be well,
Mike from CT
Lisa,
Booooo! You posted too late so I couldn't be the first to comment!
I read that Lady from Portsmouth three times now and am still taken by her story. Wonderful stuff! Too bad she hasn't seen Sharyn dressed up working on Halloween!! That would have her smiling more....
Kevin
Nicely done Lisa B. This blog was so very moving, it definetly needed to be front and center. Every great performer knows when to let the others shine...
Caleb, Sharyn, hoping you are filled with light and love on this gloomy day.
Audrey
what a concept!
having an unknown person post on the green page & move us all to the core!
lovely.
xoxoxooxoxoxo
The world is really a lovely place.
Magical and moving. Thanks, Susan, for sharing this wonderful memory, and special thanks to Lisa B for highlighting it. As always, the Potter/Lindsay clan and the many special people in Fleet are in my thoughts and prayers. Alycia
Lisa- you always know how to make the music move and let the whole world join in. xoxoxo kolleen
Hello everyone. This will be short and sweet.
I am on a mission for Shaye and his Caleb Oysterfest booth & needs.
Wondering if anyone might have a large cooler and or a six to an eight-foot fold-able table.
Thanks for your attention.
You can contact me-Shaye’s Mom-at:
ellendc_tao@yahoo.com
My love to you everyday Caleb.
Keep coming home.
Dear Dear Lisa....Thank you for those special remembrances...we are all truly connected. I think that's what makes us human, and able to empathize with one another when times are hard.
Truly the Von Lindsays and Von Potters have much to be grateful for, and all of us too for having connected to them in such a deep and meaningful way. All these stories have touched the very core of my being, and often moved me to loud sobbing, and quiet contemplation. This connection makes me fell alive, and allows me to focus on someone other than myself, or my family.
Caleb Von Potter, you are a lucky young man to be blessed with such a rich, creative and loving family, and they in turn, to have you and all the richness your life brings to their lives. So happy to hear of the progress you are making Matty...you are on the mend, and will soon be home.....
Love and Blessings to you all this night,
Melinda
When I read this post the first time, I was so moved.....It reminded me how we are all here on this planet, inspiring,sharing, supporting and loving each other....many times I have found myself thinking "what else really are we here for,...we breathe, we eat, we work, we create and we commune".....
I loved this post because it just reminds me why we are here.....to connect, to support , to inspire, to love and to be inspired.......
to Susan and her family...you are doing your part in the big picture, "know there is someone passing you on the street who is being equally inspired by your beauty"
jack that is funny...but seriously... susan, your words touch a deep and integral part of my being. thank you for sharing your story, it is beautiful.
i too remember the first time i met sharyn and the boys. some of the first people i had ever met in wellfleet years ago. i fell in love with all of them instantly.
one thing i just thought of... Love becomes even more powerful and apparent in this world when you share it, express it, and endlessly offer it out to all. expressing those moments of appreciation and love.
much love to you all.
peace love and blessings.
xoxo
keri
I kind of keep to myself. I don’t call often enough or write enough; I just carry people around with me, tucked in my heart. So, it was of no surprise this summer when my mom, in Harwich, mentioned Caleb that I had no idea what had happened. “Do you know Caleb?” she asked. “His name sounds familiar, but I can’t picture his face…. I don’t know,” I said. I got in touch with a friend back east who told me about the blog – it took me less than a second to recognize Caleb. But, I don’t really know Caleb. And yet I read about him, beautiful entries from Sharyn and other folks, some strangers and some people that I have not seen in years.
I was always one of those kids that couldn’t really appreciate the Cape. (I am now learning maybe it is because I didn’t grow up in Wellfleet.) I was anxious to leave this sandstrip; the ocean made me feel stuck on land. At 18 I took a Greyhound bus to California and roamed around until I settled in the mountains of Arizona. Where I admit: I sleep outside most nights, have a beat up truck, have more than one pair of cowboy boots and I kind of think tight, high-waisted Wranglers are sexy. I think I fell in love with the desert.
But after some unexpected decisions this Fall I found myself loading up my truck and boots and headed home to Cape Cod - 2,700 miles without a car stereo gave me a lot of time for thinking. There were many times in those 4 days driving that I found I was carrying Caleb. Staring out at the landscapes of Oklahoma and Arkansas – that endless stretch through Tennessee – there were moments where my entire being existed only as a prayer for his good health.
But it wasn’t just Caleb and it wasn’t only those 4 days – ever since I spoke with my mom, found the blog – I am carrying you all with me, even those who I have never met and do not know.
Although my great grandparents, grandparents and parents came from here, families of carpenters and fishermen; and my oldest brother has the tattoo LOCAL in huge, capital letters down his forearm; and I still know the back roads after 10 years of elsewhere – I never quite feel at home when I am on the Cape. I feel like the person who walks into a restaurant and then realizes (and only then) that her t-shirt is ripped and her pits unshaven and it definitely wasn’t a “shower day”. But last weekend I was headed through Wellfleet and as I passed downtown I realized one noticeable thing – in Wellfleet no one makes you feel bad about your beat up Toyota or worn out jeans – because people are real there. And knowing this and knowing that Caleb has all of you real and beautiful beings carrying him with you and that, in turn, we are all carrying each other – it makes me feel good about Wellfleet, and better about being home, but those details are not what truly matters. What is of most importance is that you all make me believe more in the possibility and capacity we each have for kindness and love and earnest caring. So thank you Sharyn for your words and Caleb for your strength and all you beautiful folks – wherever your hometown may be at the moment – thank you for all that you inspire.
I carry you with me,
Sarah Monteiro
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