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.

Saturday, November 8, 2008

I don't know why I can't remember to remember this - but when I am feeling low - it is a simple turn toward nature that turns things around. This early morn we got a call from Kai .... surfing the breaks at Lecounts. I bought 2 coffees to go and a perfect pecan cinnamon swirling sticky bun from the Blue Willow and set off with Caleb to the shores. We perched ourselves about the dunes, now at Marconi sight, and watched as Kai rolled out over the waves time and time again in perfect poetic motion..the good Doctor from Boston happened upon us with his crazy energetic dog, Daisy, and the mushroom pickers appeared to clear the forests of their sport .
Later the same day we walked the woods...what I noticed are trees tall and proud, trees in perfect order, and trees bent under the weight of older, fallen trees, broken and spent from storms which passed by without warning...and saplings with high hopes.
Some trees have snapped under pressure, but some just accept their fate and grow stronger, bent tho they may be and not as beautiful as others, but surviving just the same. The thing is they all belong to this forest as we belong to life - big and tall, small and bent, perfect and splintered, they make up what is comprised of a forest and a life - it is not perfect, but it is what it is ... as we all are perfect in our imperfection.. doing what it is that we do best ...going on in spite of it all.

19 comments:

amy in ct said...

the little saplings poking up thru the forest floor, hopeful that they will make it someday.... that is how i feel alot of the time. hoping that i can keep it together, keep my head up high and be able to be the best me i can be.
thank you sharyn
amy in ct

Susanna said...

I too get much solace and many lessons from nature. I sense from your writing lately that you are growing to accept what has happened to Caleb and open to the end result, yet unknown. I have found that when in a situation that requires my full attention it is best to live in the moment but evetually I need to look forward and back to really make sense of things. I see you doing this and I think it is necessary and natural.

tim bob said...

another apt tree metaphor- consider the locust:
snapped under weight of denser trees, a Kai storm, wind or snow, a locust draws nutrients and nurturance from its brothers and sisters through the runners which traverse the sandy soil, and will emit new sprouts spiraling elegantly towards the azure sky. It is only a bean after all.

jff said...

There is nothing I love better than a walk in the woods, so I loved your post. Just breathing in the aroma of the wood somehow clears my head. I look at trees in every state of growth, especially in Nickerson State Park, my very favorite, and wonder who, a hundred years from now, will be peering up at a sapling of today. I know one thing for sure, that it is easier to deal with trauma if it is that way from the beginning--change is the foe as I wonder how good humans are with the adjustments of life. A tree that has been bent in a storm, will just continue growing toward the light, a lesson us humans could take good advantage of.

amy in ct said...

sharyn,
josh and i were just folding laundry and he asked if i had heard from you lately.... i told him not personally but you had been blogging,
he sends his best.
i wanted you to know even my 13 year old has you and your family on his mind :)
amy in ct

ariana said...

Sharyn,
It was nice to hear your words today. I just went for a nice walk out in the woods and couldn't think but how wonderful the fresh air was, how even when things are difficult and imperfect, challenging and seemingly impossible, that sometimes it is perfect. It's exactly where we are supposed to be and where we need to be. It sucks and hurts! I am so grateful to know your family and see you too grow and challenge what hand you have been dealt. Thank you.

Ariana :)

Gail Hunter said...

Sharyn,

The pictures you paint are so vivid and feel like a personal message to so many of us. I have wanted to write, but on a more personal level, for some time. Just a reminder that we're still here, listening, learning, yearning, and appreciating. Thank you and bless you.

janet said...

Sharyn,
I love your forest and life metaphor, and I agree with you about getting out into nature;
it's my best medicine, too.
The story in the Globe magazine section today about Wellfleet and Caleb was a nice surprise. It's online at boston.com as well, if anyone hasn't seen it.
Sending peace, hope, blessings to all of you,
janet

justjane said...

Sharyn,
What a wonderful article about Caleb in the Boston Sunday Globe today. Such a handsome full page photo with his poignant smile! Although it only briefly touches on what you all have gone through, it was special to see your story spread even further. Now, if they would only be wise enough to publish your precious blog thoughts in installments!
Can you believe that I have had another friend hit by a car this week?! She and her 8 year old were crossing the street and the mom was hit. She is coming home from the hospital this week, the girl was unharmed physically.
Great news about Jayne Lombardo...she is coming home from the rehab hospital this week and will continue therapy on an outpatient basis. Unfortunately, she has definitely lost one eye.

As usual Sharyn, your words go far.
Thank you for your thoughts about my life with a teenage daughter. I know it is trying now and could get even more challenging, but we will be OK in the long haul.
I haven't been able to make it to Fleet in a couple of weeks because of the constant flow of teens seeking food, shelter and a surrogate mom. If I don't make it down next weekend, perhaps the Wellfleet kids that have been coming up for the weekends can bring Caleb's clay to me to fire then. If not, I'll definitely be in town for Thanksgiving and will pick up his fish then. I'm so glad that Caleb is enjoying the clay!

The thought of picking up coffee and a sticky bun, hanging at LeCounts to watch my boys surf, and seeing Caleb's smile and your red boots soon should get me down there soon!
Did I mention I'll bring the wine?!
Jane

mariep said...

I actually think the bent and gnarled trees are more interesting and more beautiful...

Anonymous said...

There is much strength to be gained from time spent in a forest, especially an old growth forest. The trees have a depth and gravity that comes with living through so many long years, surviving despite the winds of change that inevitably blow...there is a feeling of old life and new life there, the taller and older protecting the smaller and younger. If you were to rest your cheek against the rough bark of a forest giant you would hear of it's life, the song of a beating heart to calm your soul......
I am glad that you find solace in the woods, and that you too hear the song and the lessons that come along.
As always , with hope,
peg from PA

Julie said...

Just a fantastic article

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/magazine/articles/2008/11/09/the_kindness_of_neighbors/?page=1

Kevin Scalley said...

Sharyn,

Some people can't see the forest because the trees are in the way...You clearly have vision! Keep going forward...

Great Sunday Globe article on Caleb yesterday!

Kevin

Jerry G said...

I was [pleasantly] shocked to open up the 'Globe Magazine' yesterday and see Caleb's face! It was a nice article, not only with regard to Caleb's long road, but about the terrific people in town.

Jerry

Clance said...

Sweet article in the Boston Globe!
Caleb, I am so proud to call you a very close friend of mine.. I luv you!!
xoxo..

NY/Wellfleet Mom said...

The Cape Codder on Friday and the Boston Globe on Sunday: Caleb, I think you're going to have to hire a publicity agent soon!


Sharyn: I ache when you're down and cheer when you're up; I don't always respond to your posts, but I'm always along for the ride. Keep taking those restorative nature walks, and keep looking for the sun. It's there.

NY/Wellfleet Mom

Lilz said...

Hi Sharyn and boys,

First of all I'd like to express how lovely it was to see you all at Cedar and Ennies wedding. What a treat, it just made my month! So much love, and positive energy out there in the forest. I truly believe that nature brings us many things. I'm glad you were able to gain insight and strength from your experience. When you share your voice with all of us Sharyn, know that we benefit as well :) Sending all my love to you tonight.
XOXOXO
Lily

markmcc said...

Sharyn, I just read the article about Wellfleet in the Boston Globe. It was well done. I'm living up in Boston now :( and I'm so jealous of you guys down there for all that surf.

Amy said...

Beautiful and moving words and images, Sharyn. The Globe article was wonderful, but nothing compared to your words. Thank you for sharing.

Amy from western MA