On the fourth of July, 2007 Caleb Potter was involved in a skateboarding accident.
He suffered serious injuries and continues to need all of our positive thoughts and prayers.
This blog is to serve as a space for updates on Caleb's journey of recovery.

Monday, November 5, 2007

stange beginnings

Mumsie here - and what a welcoming home it was. I tried to say to myself over and over - don't cry, don't cry - but when we were greeted by signs for miles over the over-pass...."welcome home Captain Caleb.. welcome home yellowbeard, good to have you back Caleb"... and when we neared the Fleet and Caleb got sick to his stomach but still insisted on driving through town, and then there were all of you- flags a waving, oyster shucking smiling faces - I lost it! Home -it's so good to be home! Well- we arrived at Long Pond, settled in as best as we could considering the power went out from the hurricane. Carol greeted us with hot soup and a warming smile and immediately tucked Caleb into a soft bed. We shared a quiet evening together and off she went . Max, Kai and I settled into what was to be our first quiet night at home. Not 2 hours passed - I was back on the phone telling Carol that I had called Jan, Kai was writhing in pain on the kitchen floor and was rushed to the hospital with acute appendicitis. He was operated on at midnight and I spent a sleepless night pacing the floor, and walking Lizzie through it. Caleb has always loved fanfare.
Now - we really are settled in and I am missing all of you----Life is good - Kai is healing, Max is strong and Caleb is home. Love you all. Mumsie

30 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sharyn,

So very good to hear your "voice" again!! I'm so happy that you're ALL finally home and healing - fingers crossed that Max stays healthy!

I spoke with charming Kevin this morning and he's got a little something for you - from me...ENJOY!

You deserve so much more, and when I'm next in town I hope to finally meet you and yours, introduce you to all of mine and share another bottle and a toast to new/old family with you.

In the meantime - relax and breathe and know that there are so many of us out here counting your blessings as our own - grateful for the opportunity to know you all - and thrilled beyond words with Caleb's continuing progress.

Love and strength and SKOAL to you -

Susan

Anonymous said...

sharyn,
you know how we sometimes hold it together until we can afford to let down a little - maybe that was a moment for Kai. on the other hand, geez, you'd think you could get at least one day off!
welcome back to all, to all, we are thrilled to have you here again.xx kathy and bob

Anonymous said...

you cant catch a break huh? haha so glad all is well!

Anonymous said...

Dear Sharyn,

Anonymous said...

So glad you are all home...but poor Kai! I'm sure he'll be his old self in a couple of days. WELCOME HOME CALEB!!! Enjoy it kid...you deserve it after all you've been through! You are a true fighter...you have strength beyond belief! Rock On Yellowbeard! Enjoy being home!
peace & love,
TC

Anonymous said...

OH MY GOD......you deserve a break woman!

Well, first things first...Congratulations on weathering the Hurricane and making it home to Fleet! And Bless Caleb for being Strong, and making it home and greeting his Fleetian family.

Bless Carol for the soup, and Bless Kai for just wanting to "get in on the action"....hope he's feeling better, and on the mend....healing thoughts go out to him this night..
Dare I ask how Max and Jan are???? I'm sure they are fine!!!!Thank GOD!

WELL My Dear, Take really good care. I worked on Caleb last night, I'll send you an email with the results of that session.

Que duermen con los angelitos (sleep with the 'lil angels),

In Love and Light,

Melinda...Mari says me toooo...

Anonymous said...

So glad to know that all of you are tucked in safe and sound, at last. May this evening bring you blissful dreams of the bright future that awaits. You deserve to be snuggled in a feather bed covered by a soft comforter with a fire crackling in the stove, and the warm feeling of having your family nestled all around you. I wish you peace this night.
As always, with hope,
peg from PA

Anonymous said...

Wow, Sharyn! SO good to hear from you! We were all hoping for an update on you, Caleb, and now Kai! The Lindsay/Potters certainly do things in a big way!

So glad you are home with your boys and settled in now. A new chapter, continued healing, the warmth of friends and family...

Sending love and so much positive energy!

DD

Anonymous said...

OMG Sharyn, you folks have had the worst luck! After all you've been through... to find yourself back in a hospital!!!
Glad things have calmed down now. Take it slow... I hope Kai is feeling better!
All the best,
Jerry G

Alycia said...

My God, Sharyn, you are an amazing woman!!! I'm in awe at your strength...I hope by now things have settled down and you all are at last able to settle in with some degree of peace and comfort. ( And I hope you are getting a chance to enjoy that surprise that Susan thoughtfully arranged with Kevin!) XXOO to all Von Lindsay/Von Potter clan, Alycia

Anonymous said...

paging nurse mumsie , potter ward...nurse mumsie...

wow! Like Melinda, my first reaction was also "Oh my god!!"
Poor Kai! I hope he's feeling better!
Sharyn, I don't know how you could have held in your tears through that warm and tender welcome! I cried tears of joy just reading about it!
What wonderful people, all of you!
I hope you have a peaceful night!

Anonymous said...

Dear Caleb, Sharyn and family,

I was so happy to read of your joyous homecoming, and see that amazing smile on Caleb's face. Joy, joy, joy after a long hard four month fight. You are an amazing lad, Caleb; determined, strong and such a warrior. Your family and friends are equally amazing; so loving and devoted. Best wishes for continued healing and strength.

I was dumb sruck when I read that Kai had emergency surgery the very evening you all finally arrived home. It just does not seem fair to anyone, after all you have been through. I continue to pray for you all, and hope Kai bounces back quickly.

I am wishing your family restful, peaceful days ahead, with continued healing, no more surprise surgeries, simple amenities such as heat and electricity, and a warm appreciation for finally being home.

God bless you all,

A Chatham Mom

beachgirl1157 said...

Well, if it doesn't rain it pours! Remember that great scene from Jaws when the 3 were in the boat chasing the shark and they had a wee too much rum to drink and were comparing scars? I see Caleb, Kai and Max as Quint, Brody and Hooper. Welcome home! Much health, happiness and calm seas for a while.

becky said...

The prayers have not stopped from my family in South Florida! I think of you all often! Snuggle close...!!!!!

Anonymous said...

thank god for HOME!

good wishes to you all tonight... i am so glad you are home and sending kai get well wishes too from
amy in ct

Anonymous said...

Sharyn:

Sorry for the delay in welcoming you and Caleb home, but just got my electricity back about 2 hours ago. Couldn't wait to check the blog!

What a fabulous picture of you and Caleb in front of town hall! I'm ashamed to say I didn't make it down there. This being my first Wellfleet Nor'easter, and me being a landlubber, I was intimidated by the storm. And you are fearless! I so admire that.

In any case, WELCOME HOME! I wish you and you entire family peace and rest. You've all been through one hell of a storm, but I think things will be calm from now on.

My best wishes to Kai for a speedy recovery.

NY/Wellfleet Mom

blackbird said...

Oh my gosh!

Home.
Focus on being home...

hugs.

Anonymous said...

Oh Kai... rest well, it pains me to hear that after all you have been through with your lovely family, but I am glad it wasn't too serious, and you are on the mend.

Lyndsy/Potter clan, rest well.. love you much.
Xo..Clance

Anonymous said...

So glad your back home!
~Barbara

Anonymous said...

Sharyn:

Oh MY Gosh!! They say "God does not give us more than we can handle"...boy are you being pushed to the outer limits...again so amazed that you were able to post your wonderful blog today...perhaps it is somewhat theraputic to write it down...good vibes to Kai and your family for a peaceful, hospital free night...and what a way to arrive home!!! I do not know how you even thought you wouldn't cry...I have never met you all and tears were streaming down my face reading the awesome article about Caleb's homecoming...sweet peaceful dreams and sunny blue fall days ahead for healing are my wish for you tonight...and start shopping your editors for your book deal :) it will truly be a great story!!!

Annapolis Md MOM!!!

Anonymous said...

Welcome home to all!

If you didn't see the message from Julie (Courtney's mom) on Sat. Nov 3 she said:
P.S. God bless Caleb and Sharyn ..........they got to go home today!!!! We'll miss you more than you know......
Much love, Mom/Julie

Kai,
Get well soon.

Caleb,
Keep up the progress.

Max,
Wear a helmet, knock on wood, and don't eat anything strange. You don't get to have a crisis. Be well.

love,
Flo

Anonymous said...

Rock on Ms. Sharyn!

What a story! You are a strong woman.

Keep them close, love them lots and enjoy life in Fleet as one can only imagine you already are.
I bet it's great to be HOME.

Fair winds from here on!
Mom in MA

Anonymous said...

Not even one night without drama. Kai I hope you are feeling better I am sending out thoughts of love and healing to you, and to all out there. Caleb I am so glad you and Sharyn are home. Sharyn how do you stay so calm in your messages. Enough is enough, basta ya! Thinking about you all!
May you all be healthy and happy from here on out.
Love,
Kim

Anonymous said...

There was a time not so long ago when all three of my boys ended up with 3 major surgeries in 12 weeks from various injuries. One with a serious eye injury from a hockey stick to the eye. That one could have been alot worse...brain injury,lose of sight etc..and to make matters worse In the midst of all I walked into a pole and had to get stitches in my LIP! When it was all over I truly felt like I was on vacation... Sharyn hang in there..Caleb don't stop

Anonymous said...

First I will send even more love and well being for all of you. And well you know Caleb can't have all the scars for how else would they laugh about the time that Caleb came home in a the big storm Nowell and that same night Kai had to have emergency surgery. Someday it will be a big story for them as it is now. Max I think some padding and solid good food should keep you healthy, take care of your brothers. Yes, I kind of agree maybe all of the stress Kai was carrying just happened to gather in his appendix, and now they can both be on a healthy recovery together, and I am sure Kai would want to be with Caleb as much as he can in the next few weeks of healing, things have a way of working out, even if it pushes the whole clan and tribe to the limits of your/their strength. I'm sure all the boys will be out climbing trees, building fires, and having fun before we know it. Lets hope this winter gives the Von Potter/Lindsay clan the chance to recooperate to the fullest and be loved and nourished in the months to come as I am sure mumsies care will do (as well as the friends that will soon enough be dribbling in and out of your house, and all in do time when all of you are ready for it). Always here always sending good thoughts of wellness and happiness. Extra Lipstick kisses and a few gentle hugs as to not hurt anyone else. Get well soon Kai, keep it up Caleb you are doing so well, Max stay you and stay strong, Sharyn take care of yourself as to keep you safe and I hope you can manage to keep your head in the bubbles and wine every once and a while, and Jan I will say don't do anything dangerous either and stay strong as well.
Love Rachael

P.s. I love that when it says for everyone to stay in and avoid the roads a real Cape Codders' first thought is to check out the damage and what the storm has done; that's just who we are, we get are feet wet just to stir up the shrimp at night to see them glow, he he, we love our island, we respect it's beauty, what it gives us and sometimes what we may never have seen until the wind blows just enough to shows us what we needed to see.

Anonymous said...

Welcome Home Caleb and Sharyn!

We were all there on the lawn. It was great seeing all of you and sharing the moment and the tears. I have never seen so many tough fishermen cry at once!

You may be wondering why you haven't heard from the affectionate but rambling, Nicole, Brother Judith and Little Poop. No power yet! I'm getting ready to make them pancakes.

Take care way over there on Long Pond Rd. We are here if you need us or if you just need some pancakes sent over! They are from scratch and served with whipped cream!

Our prayers are with Kai today. Hope he is feeling better. Thank him for not having the attack on the Town Hall Lawn. That would have put us all over the edge.

Much Love to All,
Judith's Mom

Anonymous said...

Hey Sharyn,

If you have a "Lucky Charm" bracelet I think you should start wearing it! If not, I'm buying the first one I see for you! I just about &#@* when I heard at the store about Kai and his appendix....

FYI-Your building a nice wine inventory at the Liquor Store as Susan in Portsmouth confirmed in the first comment. Very nice girl to now have heard her voice as well as read all of her previous wonderful comments... Unfortunately there wil be a $5 a day storage fee for all your wine inventory I'm holding for you...You may not draw a sober breath until the flowers come up in the spring! That's probably great timing for you. Isn't it great how things have a way of working out....

Kevin

Anonymous said...

How do you spell relief? H-O-M-E.......oh yeah! So glad every one is where they are supposed to be............even Kai.......maybe I squeezed Kai a bit to hard on Town Hall lawn welcoming him and ruptured his appendix.................so glad you're back.....so glad you had a generator.........I just got power back at around 2pm yesterday....no fun for that long.......here's to settling in......taking care.....healing.....reconnecting........smelling the fall air.......... and getting better and better with each passing day...........Caleb keep up the rigorous therapies......time and hard work are your best friends right now....Sharyn get back in the gym, dig in some dirt and reconnect.....thanks for the flowers....beautiful..................Kai, rest....Max, stay strong..... and Jan, hang in there..........love to all and SO glad you're home.......jodi

Anonymous said...

Sharyn,

When it Rains it Pours!!!!!!!!!!! With the big rain and all the action I hope you are through the storm. Kai, heal fast. Margie

Anonymous said...

U guys just cant get a break! Everyone stay healthy from now on! I hope Kai is feeling better and Caleb too with his home surroundings!

Zana