Caleb had a fantastic day today - brunch out with Shaye, Katie, Kai, and Jennie, bowling with Kai, Max, Timmy , dad and friends..then horse shoes to follow at the homestead .. he is exhausted and happy!
Does anyone remember the name of the movie with Steve Martin? - loads of kids with one on the way and the granny who lives with them who says very little until the end where she has the most profound lines-- life is like a roller-coaster. ...frightening...so many ups and downs. Some people like to play it safe and never get on... but I prefer to ride!
I am probably butchering it but that is the gist of the thing ..........and I am on the ride.
Today with my salt-stained face..I was tired of the ride..and I wanted off ........I cried into the forest and ran with Spud trying to get in front of the pain. I demanded the ending that was promised would be mine .......I convinced myself that this was only a dream that I once had had .
That mawkishly mournful wail that quickens the heart..... I am certain you must have heard ...the one that straightens your backbone just a bit too far and stops the air from moving back into the lungs....it echoes long after the sound concludes. . .
that was the sound of a mother's heart breaking!
Tonight the lull of the dishwasher has put Caleb to sleep. Kai is back at school and Max has retired to his room, but not before tucking his big brother in for the night.
We sit around the table and laugh like old times and Caleb makes a joke and Max remembers a story and Timmy tells the story over.....and I am once again glad that I am on the ride ...wind whipping through my hair, tears drying at the edges of my eyes, a smile plastered on my face....... and my hands up in the air with abandon.
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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.
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.
Adding Comments
Please feel free to add your comments to the blog. All you have to do is click on the number of comments at the bottom of one of the postings. Then write your comment in the box provided on the right side of the screen. Thank you to all of you who have been commenting so far; we're creating quite the community on here! Be well...
A BIG Thank You
In this season of giving thanks and celebrating family togetherness, I wish to extend a warm thank you to everyone who has been involved in a myriad of ways with my son, Caleb Potter, and his recovery. On July 4, he was involved in a skateboarding accident in our little hometown of Wellfleet on Cape Cod, that caused him serious injuries. He came home from Spaulding Rehab in Boston just before Thanksgiving. Through the blog we started:
http://calebpotter.blogspot.com/
the Wellfleet community of support stretched far and wide across the country, and in fact, throughout parts of the world, with many people offering prayers and words of wisdom. We could not have come so far without this legion of support from all of you, in Wellfleet and beyond. We are sincerely grateful.
Sharyn L. Lindsay and family
http://calebpotter.blogspot
the Wellfleet community of support stretched far and wide across the country, and in fact, throughout parts of the world, with many people offering prayers and words of wisdom. We could not have come so far without this legion of support from all of you, in Wellfleet and beyond. We are sincerely grateful.
Sharyn L. Lindsay and family
DONATIONS
THE CALEB POTTER
BENEFIT FUND
Donations may be made in person at any branch of Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank or mailed to the bank at P.O. Box 697, Wellfleet, MA 02667.
Thank you SO MUCH
for your contributions.
With love,
from all of Caleb's friends and family
BENEFIT FUND
Donations may be made in person at any branch of Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank or mailed to the bank at P.O. Box 697, Wellfleet, MA 02667.
Thank you SO MUCH
for your contributions.
With love,
from all of Caleb's friends and family
Official Information
If you have questions about calebpotter.blogspot.com,
email Sky at:
novembersky.freysscole@gmail.com
email Sky at:
novembersky.freysscole@gmail.com
For Sending Cards etc.
Caleb Potter
c/o Sharyn Lindsay
45 Sapokonish Way
Wellfleet, MA
02667
(please be respectful)
c/o Sharyn Lindsay
45 Sapokonish Way
Wellfleet, MA
02667
(please be respectful)
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30 comments:
Oh Sharon,
You are feeling like every mother who has dared to walk in your shoes would feel... I am so proud of you for feeling.... yup. Just feel. It is essential for the soul & more .... for you. Whatever negitivities lie out there ... and we ALL have them..!! You will rise above all that's going on beneath you. Because, it all actuality, it really doesn't matter, does it..?
Love, peace, harmony, tranquility..and all the rest that emulates bliss... be it yours.
from someone who cares..
Keep on feeling what has been pent up....you are brave enough to put down the facade that makes liars out of most of our population...we will catch your tears and they will mingle with ours...
The movie is "Parenthood", and you quoted the line almost verbatim, I think.
I love that movie, and it is definately a good quote to remember from time to time...
I'm glad you had a day in which you let out lots of stuff that is good to get out, and then were also able to let in so much 'good' and happiness...sounds to me like a more successful day than most of us can even hope for!
here's to a joyful day tomorrow!
It's good to hear you are expressing yourself, letting your feelings free, and unleashing all that bottled up emotion. Crying is not always the most joyful, but it's healthy. If you didn't let all those tears out, your mind, body and soul would drown in its burden. LET IT ALL OUT SISTA!
Sharyn,
i could not agree more. caleb had an amazing day and i have never seen him smile so much. brunch at the wicked oyster was delicious like always. bowling was a blast and i think we all could agree that seeing caleb have such a good time and just acting like a 25 yr old again could bring tears to all our eyes. we all laughed alot and some of us got bowlers butt, which u can only understand if u experience it. caleb had a great day and i hope and know that there will be many many more days just like this one.
love jennie
Such a lovely post, Shayrn. I still check in to see how you and yours are doing. It has been a long, long journey, and I am sure exhausting at this point in time. Every day is still intense and demanding, so, yes let those emotions out. A good sob does make you feel better because it releases all those worries that weigh you down. Love the laughter, too.
Wishing you and Caleb the best in the journey still to come. Enjoy beautiful sun filled days like the one we got to enjoy yesterday. It so made up for the day before!
More ups and downs ahead. Hang on for the ride. Best wishes,
A Chatham Mom
Every day we have more in common.
I quote Parenthood from time to time on my blog, especially that passage from the grandmother.
I like the roller coaster, but it sure can knock me for a loop.
Sharyn and Jennie, We all are hoping and praying that Caleb has lots and lots of great days like the one you described and that soon, those days become so frequent and the "broken and confused" days become so rare, that you won't even notice that the great days are great--they will just be what you expect.
Amy from western MA
Yesterday certainly sounds like it was a fine day!! The sun was bright and even though it was quite cold here, there was a feeling of spring and it was great walking in the woods.
Like Blackbird I also find myself quoting the grandmother in Parenthood [She surely had some of the best lines] and it has also found its way into my writing. So here I will share one of those notes:
"Your up, your down……when you are in those down turns that seem to be going on for a while it is so difficult to imagine that just a slight change in condition will send you back up.
One thing about life is that so much is not permanent, so much can change. Sometimes it isn’t something big that does it.
Life is certainly a roller coaster. The challenge is remembering that and waiting and seeking that up turn around the bend."
Happy day light savings time!!
sharyn
your words describing your run with spud, the sound of a mothers heart breaking, the tear stained face,.... and the polar opposite describing what fun caleb had yesterday and how 'like old times' he was able to be.
you write with such abandon, i love to read your words, they heal me too.
that is a great quote from parenthood, and i had forgotten about it until i read it in your blog today.
get on the ride! words to live by.
take care this sunny almost spring day. i am sure the cape is beautiful today.... wish i was there.
good job enjoying life caleb.... keep up the wonderful progress!
love and prayers from
amy in ct
Sharyn and Jennie.....It was so nice to read today's news about Caleb's wonderful day. His progress is amazing and a treasure.
I look forward every morning to opening up the blog.
Take care, Peggy from Western MA
Sharyn,
I’m SO GLAD you didn’t say you were so happy you ran naked to Long Pond to skinny dip… Since your mention on the blog here of “skinny dipping” I ride down Long Pond Road DAY and NIGHT with my high beams on hoping for a glimpse. I would have felt VERY short changed had you told that story here!
Great day yesterday!
Best of all I can see all those smiling faces clearly in my mind!
Bottle that happiness and sell it!
Kevin
Queen Sharyn,
Before yesterday, I don't think I understood what an incredibly sweet guy Caleb naturally is. He was so nice all day, and when we were out back throwing horseshoes--I'd never thrown horseshoes before, and most of mine were ending up about five feet in front of me--Jeff and Max and Timmy were laughing, but Caleb came right over and showed me how to throw them properly, and I actually scored a few points after that. :) He was on the opposite team, too.
I was beyond impressed watching him all day. I can't imagine how frustrating this must be for him, to watch everyone around him laughing and running and talking like they used to and not to be able to fully join in. But he never betrayed a hint of impatience or anger, and every time he knocked a lot of bowling pins down, he did a little happy-Caleb dance.
Your family never ceases to amaze me, Queen Sharyn. You did a fantastic job creating such a marvelous group.
love,
Mia
Dearest Sharyn,
I think I did hear you all the way in upstate New York; where by the way it's still cold and covered in snow. We're anxiously waiting for those signs of spring.
Let the tears and anger come, just know you're not alone. We've all signed up for this ride by your side. We're holding your hand through the tears and uncertainties and the smiles. We're not going anywhere.
Wishing you laughter and peace.
Jackie
ahhh, the rollercoaster ride...
i was living in boston in the mid eighties and volunteering some time at a home for mentally challenged adults...
i became quite fond of a woman named peggy. she was very shy, indrawn and seemed to be scared of everything...
one day we all took a trip to the amusement park. as soon as we where in, peggy grabbed my hand and ran to the rollercoaster...
she wanted to go on the ride. i was petrified and scared for myself but also nervous for her because i didn't know how she would react...
before we even started moving on the track i was white knuckled, grinding teeth and quietly praying that i would get thru this...
so the clank, clank of the ride starts and my eyes are shut so tight that i imagine that they will never open again...
peggy is quiet and more composed then i during the uphill ride to the place that you know the loop is coming and fast speed is inevitable...
towards the abyss, peggy started screaming, crying, laughing, tears coming down, her hands waving madly in the air...
we got off the ride and i was so concerned that it was a frighting and horrible experience for her, then she looked at me with the biggest smile and said " isn't it just so wonderful to let things go!!!"
we rode the ride 3 more times that day and i will never forget peggy's words....
peace
Peggy's words. It IS so wonderful to just let things go! What a wonderful story. Thanks for sharing!
Lesa
Yesterday was a completely lovely day in so many ways...
one of the reasons being that it was the first time since caleb's fall that I heard him say hello to me the way he always used to. It brought tears to my eyes and filled my heart with such hope and love that it took my breath away.
I also got to hang out with Jennie a bit and it had been awhile since we had chatted.
I went bowling, and Caleb beat me...in fact, I believe he beat all of us. well, not max, but no one beats max! It was so much fun to be there with so many of my favorite people, knocking down pins and having a good old time...watching caleb smiling and having a blast. Thanks everyone for being who you all are!!
Sharyn....we all are here and we all love you very much...deep breaths my friend, and one step at a time.......xoxo amy stj
Great news for Caleb, getting to spend the day with his "peeps", hangin' out and havin' fun. Here's wishing that there will be many more joy filled day for Caleb and the boys. (oh, and Jeannie, too)
Great news for you too Sharyn, the highs are always so much higher after we've reached the lowest of our lows.
Peace to you all on this spectacular Cape Cod day-
Audrey
Sharyn,
I read your words and really do understand and have felt that feeling of wanting to be OFF that ride. I think most people have felt this by the time we get to be "of a certain age" where life has thrown us a curve or even 2 that we find we just can't take - at times. But WE CAN. That's the lesson, I think. As terrible and unspeakable the thing that happened is, we CAN take it - because we have no choice - so we cry, and scream into the woods, or the night,or a pillow, or at the powers that be....with anger, and hatred and fear and despair - and then we go on....we walk the road we were given to walk - that's just life - and some DO have it easier than others, some worse - we all carry our load.
You are doing quite a remarkable job in carrying the load you were handed last July 4th....and in sharing your thoughts, feelings,fears and wishes within this e -community you have created, you are remarkable. So scream when you need to scream, cry when you need to cry and marvel at Caleb when you want to marvel! He will stay on his path too - and I'll bet there are times when HE wants to get off the ride too - but he is walking HIS road; not the one he planned or asked for - but the one handed to him. He is doing it with amazing grace, and strength, and humor and love.
-Sending you courage and strength and wishes for the springtime sun to gradually warm your soul and your spirit. Keep being the great person and inspiration that you are - you are doing what you know how to do - and what you CAN do.
Nancy in NY
Sharyn,
I've never posted, and although many of your posts have touched my heart and brain, today's post moved me to write.
I've felt that way too - just wanting to get off the ride. Thankfully, we both have people in our lives who, sometimes without even knowing it, help us see that the ride is indeed worth it.
Much love to you and your family,
Alison
What a wonderful report! I hope Caleb will have more and more of those kinds of days!
I have just one question for Jennie... been trying to figure this one out... I used to bowl a bit, back in the day; but what the heck is "bowler's butt"???
Peace-
Jerry G
Another good quote to remember is this: " The grass is always greener...but it is just as tough to mow..."
What a beautiful post. Thank you for sharing such emotion. Your words reminded me of my favorite quote, and this "ride" could be up or down but always reminding us that we are alive and life is beautiful, raw, chilling and amazing.
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body , but rather to skid in broadside , thoroughly used up , totally worn out & loudly proclaiming--WOW--WHAT A RIDE !"
How great to hear about this fantastic day! It seems like things are turning around- thanks to daylight savings it was light until after 7:30 and my son found the sure signs of spring popping up from the ground today and your wonderful boy is running around have a ball with his friends- sure sounds like we are all moving through the dark winter and into the spring where summer will surely follow!
Laura in CT
Better out than in as my Nanny Vasta used to say....feel the joy and let go of the sorrow if only for a moment.
Soon the joyful times will outnumber the sad....soon...
As always, with hope,
peg from PA
Missing Lisa and Deidre...
Delightfully put Mumsie..
I miss you, and dream of being with you all at the house, gazing over the gardens, sipping vino. Soon come, I lack the cackle in my days!
Xo..Clance
Sharyn --
Thank you tons for continuing with this blog. Posts like this help me remember what it is to be a mother, and a human being and to live each moment with every ounce of energy and gusto you can muster!
Tears are good! It's good to let it out. Don't let it sit inside. Peace to you ...
The movie is Parenthood. One of our favorites.
Sharyn
Posted on the wrong blog entry - meant to do it here, so if my comments seem out of tune there (Negativi-ta entry), you'll understand they were meant for this space. I am a neophyte blogger. Nevertheless, so glad Caleb is coming along so well. Our prayers continue to be with you and the boys. P&D Antinori
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