From the Cape Cod Times November 04, 2007
By Robin Lord
WELLFLEET — It was a homecoming fit for a pirate.
About 60 well-wishers gathered in driving wind and rain on the lawn of Wellfleet Town Hall yesterday, some holding long poles with flapping flags of skull and crossbones in a salute to the man they have dubbed "Yellow Beard."
Caleb Potter was on his way home.
Chuck Cole shucked oysters for the crowd and intermittently banged a drum as they waited for his return from Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston. Potter, 25, had been in hospitals in Boston since July 4, when he was severely injured in a skateboarding accident.
Cole's son, and Potter's good friend, Cedar Freyss-Cole, had draped signs across Route 6 overpasses, and along the highway in Eastham and Wellfleet, so Potter would know of the warm welcome that awaited him.
Soaked, but still of good cheer, the gathering let out a collective roar when Potter pulled up in front of Town Hall in a silver pickup truck driven by his mother, Sharyn Lindsay. When he stepped out of the truck in the parking lot, he raised a water bottle in his left hand in salute, and at first seemed a bit overwhelmed. Lindsay smiled through her tears.
When friends and family members drew close, many crying openly, a grin grew across Potter's face and he raised the bottle again, pumping it in the air. He was back in "The Fleet."
Robin Lord can be reached at rlord@capecodonline.com.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PHOTO
41 comments:
Just shows you that Mother Nature also wanted to get in on the welcome in a big way!!
Welcome home all....good thought and wishes coming at you from all directions.
Thank you Cape Cod Times for acknowledging the event of Caleb's homecoming. Sharyn, Sharyn, Sharyn YAAAAHHHHOOOOO you guys made it, you made it home to Fleet I knew the time would come!!!!!!!!!!!:-D
All is well Caleb is home and the sun is shining and I couldn't have a bigger smile. I was sad that I was in too much pain to make it to the town green but my parents painted me a very vivid picture and I can't wait to see the video.
I feel the storm has washed and blown away anything negative or harmful and cleared the air for all of our prayers, love, and even more recovery. I hope Caleb gets to take some deep breaths of Fleet air that he missed so much. I hope the air pressure from the storm did not put him in any more pain than he already is. So glad the world or rather our world is back in order, our Caleb has made it home just one day shy of a solid four months away. Sharyn I know saying goodbye to people that at times helped you through some of the toughest days you had to go through can be very difficult and heart wrenching; I also know for a fact once the clan is settled in at home you will be overwelmed with how wonderful you feel and how comfortable you might have forgotten being home can be (with everyone (Caleb especially) around you, home, together in Fleet).
Just remember we are still here for advice and because we will all want to know what is happening in the Lindsay/Potter household; we will always be here for all of you especially if you need support as well as we will always be sending more love and prayers, lots of good posative thoughts, and even more hugs and lipstick kisses. The seas may have been choppy and you may have felt helpless drifting in those hectic waters that have no mercy but there will always be a life raft out there for you filled with lots of love, care, and sunshine.
Let the sun rain down on you and cleanse your soul, and once Caleb is settled grab a glass of wine and take a bubble bath, my recommendation. I hope you all fall into a good routine with ease and that Caleb can still feel the love especially now that he is back home. Such a lovely thing to be able to say, Caleb is home. Again Happy Birthday to us November babies!!!!! A hip hip hurray for Caleb plus a couple extra AAAARRRRGGGGS. I th
ink we can all breath a little better with him where he belongs but trust me he and all of you will still be on our minds and in our hearts everyday always and forever.
Love Rachael
P.s Can't wait to give you all kisses and hugs. Someday the time will come that we will all get a chance to hug and kiss you all.
P.s. Caleb I also hope you more than the best for as you keep healing so do I so hopefully when you are fully well I too will have my open wound might be completely healed. I still love seeing the Caleb signs everywhere they make me smile so and gives me that warm fuzzy feeling in the depths of my soul. Thank you guys for everything you have done for me and everyone around me.
Somehow, it seems fitting that he'd come home in a storm!
All the emotions everyone has experienced during his fight seem to have welled up and made a fury. A good fury.
Beautiful...
Welcome back Caleb, & Sharyn. I am smiling so big right now. What a relief there is now in our days-- that not only Caleb will begin intense healing, but Sharyn, Jan, Kai, Max, Jennie, Shaye, Katy, and family will be able to rest a bit more now. Not to mention all us bloggers, old, and new friends that have waited patiently for Caleb's discharge from the hospital into his warm home.
The sun is shining here, and I am ready to check in on my little garden I respectfully named Caleb.
Much love... besos.. Clance
CALEB'S HOME, CALEB'S HOME, CALEB'S HOME!!!!WELCOME ONE AND ALL. Unfortunately, I did not make it up to Wellfleet yesterday during the storm, so I hunkered down in my home, alone, with many candles lit and spent the day in the "Caleb Zone". I reread all of the blogs from Sharyn, relived the roller coaster ride, and as the force of the storm grew stronger and stronger, I became more and more grateful for the beauty of the day, and most grateful for the joyous return of your boy, your life. I had dreams of Caleb and the crew all night, and he was so vibrant and full of life, and Sharyn, now don't get nervous about this next line, but there was a beautiful baby girl present in all of the dreams...it's not clear to me whose baby it was, but nonetheless, a new life in your world.
Here's to life, lived with gusto and greatness, here's to Caleb's strong and vibrant life-
Audrey
I heard the electric power went out in Wellfleet yesterday afternoon but I feel joy coming over the water to Brewster -glad its warm and feel comforted knowing how resourceful you are . ann m
CALEB,CALEB,CALEB,....oops, VON YELLOWBEARD.....WELCOME BACK!!!!!
I guess everyone got in on the act, including 'ole Mom Nature. So glad to see the smile on your face. Gladness is shining all around you....you are an inspiration to all. Keep up the good work, my friend.
My daughter and I hope to see you sometime soon, to give you our own ABRAZOS Y BESITOS....mom get some too, along with Kai and Max..One big Kissfest!
Take good care......you are never far from thought...
In Love and Light,
Melinda and Mari
WELCOME HOME YELLOW BEARD!
We love you,
Christa, Capt.Noah & Jack
Wilmington, NC
Sharyn, Caleb - Wellfleet!!!
Love Love Love your BEAUTIFUL faces!!!
Hope the sun that's shining here is shining there - and that you're all breathing easier now that your boy is home.
Missed you yesterday, but know that we'll connect someday soon - I indulged in oysters and ale at my favorite Portsmouth pub in wind-blown, rain-drenched solidarity!
Wondering if all of the far-flung members of this tribe might contribute photos of themselves for a virtual family album...I'd be happy to collect and paste if any of you would like to donate. I'm a visual person and would relish images to go with all of your names and beautiful words....thinking that some of the rest of you might feel the same.
My email is ssavory@comcast.net. If you have something to send - please put "Caleb" in the subject line.
Dancing and Whooping and Singing and JOY.JOY.JOY!!!
Susan
awesome...totally awesome. So bummed to miss it. Please put up additional photos. Truth is, Caleb deserved a category 5-er, but this storm will do, too.
Yeeehaaaaaaaaaaa.
Welcome home, Caleb! You roared out of town and you roared coming back in! Today, the skies have cleared (at least in Boston) and the day is calm. Rest lad and take in the love and light that surround you.
Lesa
Welcome home buddy! This is what you, your family, and the town of Wellfleet have been waiting for. We've missed you dearly, but we are now overwhelmed with the fact that you are home. Words cannot describe this craziness accurately enough. Enjoy the feeling of your own sheets, smell of the autumn air from your own window, bark of your own wacky dog, smells of mom cooking downstairs, sounds of your friends and family pulling into your driveway, and the knowing that you are in your own element.
Love life and the people in it. Peace.
Caleb and Shayn - sweet tears of joy! Welcome home and good rest.
"Let the wild rumpus roar...." welcome home to the land of fresh sea air- the real healing can begin...A
HEY HEY HEY...AWESOME....been waiting for this day....we raise a glass (several) to you guys today.
God Bless be strong and keep going Caleb...we are right here beside you... near and far....we LOVE you
P.S. Sharyn, if there is ANYTHING I can do in Pa. PLEASE let me know
builderbob17@yahoo.com
Lisa....peace and love
I couldn't be happier!~!! I had to go to Orleans and help my parents weather the storm today and saw all the Caleb signs. I kept pointing them out to my husband with such a big smile on my face. I couldn't put anything up at exit 3 yesterday because of the storm, (it is a differnt overpass bridge than the rest of them} but I was thinking of all of you!!!
Praise be to everyone, CALEB IS HOME>
J
this is freaking awesome! welcome home caleb and sharyn! the smile on caleb's face in that pic is PRICELESS!
good wishes to you all up in wellfleet tonight!
amy in ct
I'm sure the reason why a lot of people can't blog is because the power has been out for a while in Fleet. I bet they all want to comment on Caleb's exciting homecoming, so damn the weather!
Anyone know where to find Austin Jacob's artwork? Very unique and talented artist that we are checking out. Thanks!
Caleb-hopefully your warm blankets are keeping you nice and warm in the crazy weather and that your putting that wild spirit to use!
What a picture.......what a homecoming......what a journey.......tears of joy, gratitude, relief, happiness, shared love and pain.............I'm imagining the quiet, cosy nest that's home for now. Peace and love and light and familiar smells and familiar faces and that ever present protective fierceness that is Sharyn and family. The noisy energizing chaos will come later. The cyber sent positive thoughts and prayers will continue, but will be spiced with prayers of thankfulness. YOUR BOY IS HOME!!!!!!!
You've made it home, Caleb. Prayers were answered, wishes were granted, tearful entreaties heard, and you are finally home. Now the real work begins.....know this: we are all still with you with prayers for complete recovery, with loving arms to hold you close when you falter, with goofy jokes to keep the humor flowing. Whatever you need, whenever you need it, we are here for you. Don't ever forget it: our hearts are as one. Welcome home.
As always, with hope,
peg from PA
Tears of Joy- Caleb- you've changed me- I think you've changed us all. What a meaningful Thanksgiving this one will be-
I LOVE YOU CALEB- YOU'RE THE MAN!
India
-from the November page of our Cape Scapes 2007 calendar (with a picture of Uncle Tim's bridge):
Wellfleet! What significance!
Wellfleet: well-nestled in hills of
golden sand and green; sun-drenched
and moon-cooled- energy, peace,
contentment and beauty in each bend
of the road and curve of pond shore.
(from Martha Atwood, About Cape Cod)
WOMR just announced "Wellfleet ele-
mentary school is closed today - power is still out--but there was
electricity aplenty Saturday midday
for Caleb's welcome home".
Peace--
janet
Got word that there is a generator , hot water ,etc. at Sharyn's- thought you'd like to know. peace
Ha!- during Saturday I thought about you all, and for a moment I even dared to wonder if you were still going to head home. Of course, I knew the answer immediately and I couldn't wait to check the blog today to confirm it. We're so happy for you! Welcome home!!!!!
Love Neil and Carrie and Satchel
I read this blog daily and still the amount of love and caring hits me anew each day. The kindness of Ann M. to post that all is well at Sharyn's is another example of the simple kindness that seems to be the order of things for your Wellfleet tribe. I have read and reread the posts of Caleb's homecoming...still each time, I cry, tears of joy and gratitude. Homecoming. The word has new meaning for me. Blessings and love to all.
just got power. MOnday 12 o'clock. How is Kai? I heard he was rushed to hospital with appendix problems the very night Caleb came home. OH BOY. . . . My heart feels a thump thinking of all of you enjoying your welcome home dinner then this. You can't make this shit up. That's enough you guys. Hunker down and cut it out!!!!
xoxox,settie
man o man do i even have power yet? i am in my classroom right now, so i don't even know.
yeah kai got his tummy tucked but he's home again home again jiggity jig...all in a day and a night's work, huh shar?
Ok. no more stuff like that...
y'all just heal now.
Oh My God...as my father said to me one night after a series of tragic events years ago when I was crying and saying, "dad, I can't believe this, it's always something..- he very calmly and mater of factly said, "That's right, your whole life, it's always something." And it was in the way that he said it that calmed me down, it was the wisdom in his voice that has prepared me for all that life brings, the good , the bad and the craziness. Sharyn, Caleb, Kai, Max and Jan, keeping you all in my thoughts and best wishes for a speedy recovery all the way around. (Sharyn, remember when the kids were small, it never failed that if one fell out of a tree and broke an arm, the other was soon to follow with stitches somewhere, well...why should we be surprised?)
Hoping that you are all okay, snuggled into your nest and that the healing continues.
Peace-
Audrey
Jeeze Lueeze! Not another Potter medical adventure. Guess that ol' "when it rains it pours" really means something on Cape Cod. Hope you are feeling better, Kai!! Sharyn, nothing like being Mom, is there! You, my dear, deserve a very big bouquet! Happy recovering to all. Enjoy your time together, and keep Max healthy!
No, you can't make this stuff up! And yes, thank you Ann for letting us know about the generator. But poor Kai! From Lisa B's post it sounds like he is doing better, which is good news. The storm was much gentler up here in Sherborn--steady rain & some wind but nothing like you guys had...and there I was, in cozy blissful ignorance in my own house, envisioning Caleb and Sharyn snug in their own beds after so many months, never dreaming that there would be no power and an appendicitis attack! They say that we are never given more than we can handle but this really seems to be pushing it...Anyway, it was wonderful to see Caleb's magical smile in the Times story--thanks for posting it for those of us off-Cape. It is a glorious day here and I am thinking of all you Fleetians--hope power gets restored quickly. And Sharyn & Caleb & all the Von Lindsay's & Von Potter's, be well and I hope your re-entry has been smooth (well, apart from the aforementioned weather/appendicitis!) Love, Alycia
What's been in Max's drinks thats been keeping him on the right track?
It was great to see all your smiles and Calebs Hand rockin it in the window! I sent my hugs & kisses through the crowds!! -Zana
This whole situation has been so touching and moving...brought me and surely many others to tears.
P.S. (totally off topic and whatever)...visiting with a bunch of girls this summer and wondering how to meet good-lookin young guys (ex. Potter boys!--their girlfriends are so lucky!) Where do you find them? Funny question but we need to come prepared! Ladies, do you know what I mean? Not saying us girls will conform to their likings, but what kind of girls to Fleetians "typically" go for? LIFESAVERS!
Huh???
I would say that information is HIGHLY confidential! We like to keep them for ourselves! JK, sort of! And let me tell you....they are few are far between! And being from this small little peninsula, I wish there were more of them to go around!!! Unfortunalely, they all seem to be taken when you find them, and understandibly so. I guess you could try the surf and fishing spots, aka....beaches, but I'm warning you, you'lle probably find a cute little Cape Cod girl on the end of his arm! Good luck to you :)
TO annonymous- I can't say that I understand your question. Maybe someone will be able to answer your inquiriry another time but it's not me darling.
Caleb is home-YES! What a beautiful day to wake up to! Let's all pray that Sharyn is calm, relaxed, and soaking up the benefits of being at home. Caleb is one of those people that if you imagine for one second that you were in their shoes, you would be amazed at how much walkin' they do! Leb-you've been through so much in the last few months that you deserve a week or so off of work, if that. Just kidding ya buddy! Take care and peace!
Men? My specialty! JK!!!! I bet you'll collect some good advice on here girl but here's mine...
There are very few singles around here...you will meet a lot of nice, cute, and already dating men so that's a problem. They basically all surf so chill at beaches. Don't just tan, get in the water and experience a little of CC for yourself! Have fun this summer and maybe you'll be lucky enough to meet a Lindsay or Potter!
Yay! After two and a half long days without power ours just came back on! I am so happy Sharyn has has a generator (but of course she does). I can't believe what happened to Kai! Poor kid.Now Caleb should be able to get back to normal.
I can barely get through this article... through tears.. This whole situation has been an emotional roller coaster for all of us.. even those of us who are far away.
Its good to know that Caleb is home and looking pretty good these days. Best of everything to the everybody in Wellfleet, it is good to see that everyone is so happy and excited on such a stormy day. We are all keeping up with the blogs, best of luck from Providence's west side hood buddy.
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