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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)
Blog Archive
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2008
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April
(16)
- My young men are so impassioned with a desire to u...
- I first laid eyes on him in passing--he was on the...
- where we are now
- Sunday
- Jan
- Article in the CC Times
- Eternal love
- Girlfriend update!!
- A photo taken last week of Jan, his mom and his si...
- No title
- None
- Memorial
- (click on photo to enlarge)Memorial information wi...
- No title
- Holding you all in our hearts
- The first of April
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April
(16)
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36 comments:
Natale Webster Lee, thank you for sharing these images...
From ch/dad:
good morning....
from a clear blue skied Cape Cod morning.....yes ...the morning after a long moonlit night after a Huge day in Wellfleet....High noon at Newc's...we gathered ....we circled...You gathered ....the Greater circle WAS GATHERED. i am sure that there are photos and actual words of those that spoke and shared and cried as we togethered in wellfleet under an equally clear....blue...sky with whitecaps on the High tide ocean....
we were/are a circle of friends...family...brothers....sisters and children...fathers and mothers...grandmothers...and grandfathers....sound familiar??? Yeah...we all were there in some capacity...several hundreds shoulder to shoulder...sharing the sadness....sharing the joy of a life well-lived...
Jeff Lewis WOULD NOT LET US slide by with a half-hearted nod toward a sad "passing" He reminded us ALL to be assured that JAN is DEAD....he took his own Life....and we were THERE/here to mark his tragic passing.....with tears and laughter as we heard of the fatherly antics and monumental accomplishments in Jan's Life...and we all were asked....implored to FEEL what we were and have been feeling....FEEL it to BE as REAL as Life and DEATH...as we sat and stood at the edge of the edge of the BLUE.....
Jan's surfboard w/hammer and an altar of daffodils and bits and pieces of LIFE....stood vigil over the sands....nearby...feathers...flags and colourful streamers streamed in the beach wind where we gathered....The Dream gong rang itself as the wind struggled to give Jan a louder voice in his/our words from above at the Rock......
we streamed to the beach...as a flowing mass of Fleet....Family...and beyond....Kai max and Caleb gathered their Father's ashes....Kai and Max headed out to the sandbar drop-off on their longboards...where the colours turned from sand-ish to darker ocean....they scattered Jan ashes in the southerly breezes...and took their time ......to leave DAD in the line-up..Caleb scattered his into the shorebreak.....
we gathered..on the sand....mostly in silence..with shivers of recognition.....gently in the PRESENCE of great Spirit....and the power of a human dying...a passing into another realm....symbolized HERE by merging Jan's dry cremains into the Blue sea....forevermore...
that's right!!!...FOREVERMORE,...Jan....and the dream gong chimed out again...in the wind...on the Beach ...at this edge of the Blue....
we miss you...we WILL miss you...and as the boys/men sons paddled back to the beach we gave and got our final hugs...and went back to the land...to the parking lots and continuings of our own lives...some to a pot-luck of family proportions at Potter/lindsays...(others will perhaps describe)...others home to a deeper understanding/inner-standing of how deeply we all can be connected...as we gather together...singly and in huge circles to celebrate and mourn...and NOW to breathe our own lives into today.....
thank you to all who made the beautiful efforts to allow us to gather together at the Rock at High Noon!..ah Ho!!
Full moon-light!ly....ch/dad
beautiful ceremony, awesome potluck, and we didn't even trash Sharyn's award-winning grounds and gardens too much. thanks to everyone who brought the delicious food (as well as Spudder for the cleanup/guard duty), and a super extra heart felt gratitude to everyone who made the ceremony so singular and meaningful.
ch/dad,
A beautiful recounting. Thanks
Sky...
Thank you for sharing the pictures.
I thought of everyone all day and was very happy to see the post this morning.
Peggy from Western MA
It looks like it was a perfect, fitting ceremony...our thoughts are with all of you.
thank you for the pictures
thank you for letting us into your lives
for letting us all try to help your family
the pictures are beautiful, the words are beautiful
thank you....
prayers and peace to you all
from amy in ct
What moving photos. Looks like the perfect, very fitting way to honor Jan and his passing. We were all thinking of you at noon, and there in spirit.
Sharyn- your white was perfect, and I love the reasons behind it. You are a strong woman - we can all learn a lot from you. The boys are so strong as well. What a moving thing- them spreading his ashes. Amazingly hard to do, but so meaningful. You have obviously raised them so right. I am amazed at the strength your whole family has.
ch- thanks for such a great recount of the day for those of us who coud only be there in spirit.
Sending hugs and lots of support from down here.
Lauren in CT
ps.....in my experience....as a Fleetian....as a surfer...as a frequenter of beaches....winter and springtime.....and other times.....I was struck....( while being totally heart-struck by our mission for and with Jan).....surprised.....not to see a single seal in the water....during our gatherings above on the pavement....or down at the edge.....unusual...out-of-the-ordinary......maybe they were giving Jan a chance to get used to the "peak" in his own way....in his NEW form....
Perhaps the empty line-up was just as well...Jan didn't need "directions" to the line-up.....and Jan never really loved surfing in a crowd....
F&S in Peace, Jan.....Full Moon-light!ly..with love..ch/dad
How powerful the words and pictures are. I thought of Jan as well this weekend while celebrating Passover. The images of passing through the Red Sea from sadness to freedom somehow made me also think of Jan and the whole Potter/Lindsay family. May you all find some peace and liberation on the shores you have crossed to.
Thank you for sharing the pictures and recounting the day for all of us that could only be there in spirit. It seemed to be a fitting tribute......stay strong, God bless
Lisa in Pa
Thank you for sharing the photos for those of us who where unable to attend. Thank You!
ch/dad,
Thank you for your words that accompany these beautiful photos.
As all ways they are moving and inspiring.
Thank you, thank you for the beautiful images - both visual and verbal. Chuck - you always seem to capture the essential 'whatness' - the quidditas - of things...your words are gifts and I am grateful. The photos reinforced the feeling that we were with you on Sunday - a bit farther north, but with the same sea, the same sky - the same sense of ending and beginning.
Thank you for sharing Jan's day with those of us who weren't physically able to be there - Your generosity seems to know no bounds.
with profound love,
Susan
The idea of Jan being one with the waves is comforting. It seems clear that was where he wanted to end up. This brave family has once again done things with their beautiful own style.
Thank you for the pictures. Please know that we are all there in spirit. What a beautiful, fitting ceremony for someone so in tune with the ocean. I wish for Jan clear sailing and surfing. I wish for his family and friends happiness and peace. I wish for Caleb a continued recovery.
Love to all, Brightest Blessings!
Sandy in PA
I went to Newcombs yesterday to walk the beach, listen to the ocean and remember the powerful, overwhelming love that was held there by so many friends and family on Sunday. The ocean sounds different to me. It truly is a holy place...the loneliness of Jan's act, to be then absorbed by all of our spirits as we gathered together for him...because of him. I am in awe of life and death. The beauty of it all astounds me.
What a beautiful day. Just how I pictured it would be; clear blue sky, sun, lots of people...
Thanks, Chuck, for the detailed and poetic description of the day, it must have been quite emotional; both sad and a celebration at the same time. I am truly sorry I missed it. The Wellfleet, and greater Wellfleet community scattered about the planet, are truly an inspiartion, a reminder of all that is positive and spiritual in this world.
Claus
P.S. Timbob-sorry I missed you too
On this past Saturday I attended the funeral of my best friends father. He passed from lung-cancer. As I looked up into the blue sky I couldn't help but notice a perfect rainbow around the sun. It's what happens when the oils in the air are just right and a storm is on the prowl. Well in my little hippy deadhead world it also means that there are good spirits traveling through the sky to the promise land...where ever that may be....it was very comforting and I guess our Phil had a friend traveling with him ......
Love & Peace
Christa
Wilmington, NC
ch/dad
Your words describing the gathering at Newcomb's Hollow are written with so much warmth and emotion that I sit here with tears in my eyes and sadness in my heart for those of you who knew and cared for Jan.
Thank you for sharing the moments.
Penny on St.John
I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw Jeff Lewis in the pictures. Jeff was one of the ministers at my sister-in-laws funeral here in Jefferson, Maine. Jeff, I link in from the Support for Courtney blog; Court is my friend Julie's daughter. I am a faithful follower of both blogs. It was nice to 'see' you again. I'll let George now about this. And for Sky and family, bless you all. ~ Nancy in Washington, Maine
ch/dad and Sky,
What beautiful pictures and recount of the gathering. Thank you.
I thought of you all on Sunday as I too was at the beach, just not on the sandy shores of the Cape, but 6,000 miles away and a bit warmer this time of year than back home. I am encouraged by your strength and perseverance during these hard times; my heart feels for you as I know the unanswered questions you have to deal with. They say a picture is worth more than a thousand words and those pictures of Kai and Max out on the water and Sharyn and Caleb on the shore are worth more than a million! What a remarkable statement they make. Thank you for constantly being a pillar of strength even at your times of weakness and vulnerability. There is a certain poise you all maintain that I admire so. Sending you all my thoughts, prayers, and support.
Love,
Ariana
Thank you to everyone who helped!
A day to remember and a day I will never forget...
Kevin
Sharyn, Caleb, Kai and Max -
I really have no words - I'm only adding my "voice" so you know that as always, my thoughts are with you -
I look at the pics from Sunday, and I so strongly feel that this was a truly sacred and very personal day for all of you - together as a family and also, for each of you, as individuals.....
My instinct is to be silent - to give that day to you and Jan....but I just want you to know that one more of your cyber family is out here - holding you in my thoughts -
As always - Nancy in NY
There are no words.............
My heart is with you all.
As always, with hope,
peg from PA
I'd really love to hear lot's of details from the ceremony and potluck--it pains me that I wasn't there. Please share- anyone who cares to.
Thank You... Blessings...
For those who couldn't be there, I'll try to describe the service. I don't know exactly who it was who put it all together (Eric Martinson for sure) but it was beautifully and thoughtfully organized with just the right touches for Jan and those who knew him. Chairs were set up at the end of the parking lot (which was full with cars parked all the way back to Ocean View Drive) looking out to sea. A rough-lumber lecturn was set on the giant rock which stands there. There were loudspeakers and a mike surrounded by a filter for the constant breeze. It was hot in the sun but comfortable either with a light coat or a shirt. When everyone was ready there was pipe music (not Scotch, I would guess Celtic) played by Jan's sister, Ken, and Bob Purrenhage. Jeff Lewis in clerical collar and stole gave some perfect opening words, not laying a religious trip of any kind on people but liming the solemn (not sad) nature of the occasion. three poems were read, one by Susan Blake, one by Eric Martinson, and one by Sarah Galdston (Jan's girlfriend). Then Theresa Rogers sang a lovely traditional song accompanied by one of the Hugey brothers (Alex?) on the mandolin. Tom Wolfson, Dave Kennedy, Dick Morrill, and Ken Potter gave short talks mixing humor with sadness. A couple of them had the crowd in stitches at Jan's feats of strength and ways of encouraging his workers. Jeff Lewis then gave a short homily urging the crowd (which was enormous) to move on, but not to leave Jan behind, to recognize the emptiness. He was what I would call, in my waspy way, appropriate emotional. There were many tears mixed with smiles and laughter. He gave a good blessing for us and for Jan, and then, accompanied by music of pipes, the group followed Sharyn, Caleb, Kai and Max to the beach, some of us staying on the lip of the parking lot. People made a semi-circle a substantial distance from the family. Kai and Max changed into wet suits (using the surfer's alchemy to completely change their clothes in front of hundreds of people). Sharyn placed leis around her son's necks and they set off for quite a distance from the shore, far enough so it was hard to see exactly what was going on. Suffice it to say that Kai had the Jan's ashes in a bag around his neck. Caleb walked down to the edge of the water, almost getting caught by a wave, and launched some of the remains into the water. That was it. My crowd repaired to PJs; many, many people went to Sharyn's house for potluck and had, I'm told, a good substantial party in Jan's honor.
Jack
Your photos Sky are beautiful.
The vastness of the ocean and the color of the water definitely set a somber mood and a deep sense of loneliness. The stage was set.
Peace now,Jan.
thank you Jack for that perfect description of the day.
Blessing, love, and positive energy being sent from Woods Hole to Wellfleet.
J
PEACE,calmness and LOVE be with you all.
Julie/Court's Mom
What beautiful pictures of a beautiful family.
From Anne:
Yes, the gathering was beautiful at the Lindsay/Potter household, the house Jan built,tucked into the pine woods. There were six long tables, quickly laden with food (almost as if someone waved their magic wand producing an extraordinary feast) in perfect Wellfleet potluck tradition! The caterers supplied sushi and shrimp and chicken wings and did a superb job of running the show so that Sharyn and the family could enjoy conversation with friends and hugs from everyone. It was truly a seamless event and there was nothing about it that Jan wouldn't have liked...in fact several times I found myself turning around to look for him standing there, beer in hand, a grin on his face and an arm around his beloved friends. The weather was perfect -- just cool enough to keep us all from staying too long!! and the comraderie that emanated from the group is a testimony to the Spirit that sustains us all. Thanks to everyone who worked hard to make this celebration so appropriate and thanks to Jan's family for opening their hearts to us and sharing Jan's memorial ceremony so graciously. I, for one, hold each of you gently in my care.
Anne
"we streamed to the beach...as a flowing mass of Fleet..."
ch/dad's words brought to mind some lyrics...
i can see a heavenly band full of angels and they're coming to set me free
"Amen." Sorry about my absence, I was on a mission trip rebuilding from the Katrina tragedy in LA. Jan will be missed. I did not know him, but my heart goes to his family and friends for their sadness. He is now an angel in your army.
sas
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