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.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

It was a sobering moment when Kai said that he felt I had hit an all time low..it is one thing to feel it, and yet another thing altogether to have a child put into words the thoughts which echo your feelings. As we sat at the beach, (the beach where his father took his life), he said he had never once heard in all of his life the grasping sound of my giving up...and there it was...and I could hear the worry in his tenor. I can tell you that for me the thought of dissapointing any one of my children is a very big and concise kick in the butt...and it forced me out of lifelessness into action. I would say for all of you out there who labor over whether or not you should say something to a friend of a loved one about an issue which concerns you? --- go for it..it was just the jump start that I needed. So we are back on tract for now ..Caleb was given the honor of attending the Oyster fest as an official...the very same oyster fest that he loved, made money at, entertained the multitudes, and competed in at the shucking contest......and as one friend put it ..as the next hot shot she was rooting for to win..... and who was now standing on the stage handing out the prize winners money! He has come a long way. His beloved nurses were down again..if ever angels walked the face of the Earth! I am still hurt as we walk along the path and friends ignore him...the very same friends who called him hour after hour to be entertained by him only two years ago..... but I realize that we all have a choice to concentrate on what we have or what it is that we don't have..we can look at the bright side, or the dark side...and God help me, most of my life I have been looking at lack..and now I want to focus on abundance...I want to wake in the morning being able to say that my child is still alive; different, changed, transformed, but with us. I want to be able to say that the positive outweighs the negative, and that never, ever again will I dissapoint any of my children by not believing in myself!

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

My Dear Sharyn, Don't be so hard on yourself. After all, you are human! You have handled this tragedy with grace, faith, and great dignity. By now you know all that counts is "the present" and how you walk your path. Sometimes the stroll is leisurely, sometimes the sand makes it hard to walk normally, and sometimes the mud is so thick that your shoes get stuck....you have done "it" all. Like the ebb and flow of the ocean, some days are more tranquil than others...but, you wouldn't change a thing. Today, you are grateful for what "IS". Caleb walks in gratitude continually, and doesn't question where to put his foot next, he just "does it". What you are going through is natural and expected after all that has transpired.

Breath deep, look for that which brings you joy, honor what has transpired, and fill each day with hopeful intention of the best that life has to offer for you and your amazing young men~
You are Blessed....

In Light and Love,

Con todo Carino,

Melinda

Jerry G said...

Sharyn, it was great to see you and Caleb at Fest. You looked terrific; as though you had turned a corner. Now your blog entry confirms that. This is wonderful - truly.

Stay strong!

As always,
Jerry

peg said...

Hold on to those thoughts with all of your might, Sharyn....
Sending you love and peace.....
As always, with hope,
peg from PA

janet said...

What a joy & surprise to hear Caleb on the radio yesterday, officiating among the cheers! He really has come so far. Nice to run into you all in the crowds, then the rain. Caleb seems to have a wealth of real friends, and the others may reappear in time. (Even as someone twice their ages, I know what it's like to feel socially awkward in an unfamiliar situation, and it's probably more their problem than yours or Caleb's.) It's great to hear you sounding so positive. All of your kids are such blessings!

Alexandra Grabbe said...

This is such a beautiful post, Sharyn. Sometimes your blog seems as much about the art of mothering as about Caleb's accident and recovery. Glad to hear he could participate in Oysterfest. I enjoyed talking to him at the library last week. I agree with what Janet said about the friends. Give them time. They are probably going through some of the same stuff as you, only being the mother speeds up the process. XOXO

Unknown said...

I want to Thank you and your wonderful family for the hospitality while we worked at your house. Just from the few hours I spent there I could tell that you are truly wonderful people. The strength I saw that is your family will surely overcome all obstacles. Thanks! Your friends at Frontier Energy

Julie said...

Great picture of Caleb and Chopper on Blog Chowder today along with a nice article written by Lezli Rowell.

Glad your spirits are up Sharyn!

J

Erin G said...

Still checking in and lookng to Sharon and family as inspiration . . . thank you. Erin

Erin G said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Leslie said...

It's called "fake it 'til you make it". It's how I get through my days as well.

I am also a mother of a son with a severe TBI. I have been following your words for about a year now, I just never had the courage to write anything to you.

I could 'see' you were on that slippery slope and I am so glad that Kai spoke to you about it. It doesn't make it any easier, but at least you have the strength (and see the reason) to face it now.

I feel your pain, Sharyn. Literally.

We just have to keep our heads high and keep telling ourselves that we can do this - for our children - if for nobody else.

kc said...

Sharon, I spoke with Caleb for the first time since the accident today at the library. It was such a wonderful joy.
I'd talk to him a lot more if I could. When does he work at the library?
I miss him and I miss the old days, but I'm so happy he's still here. That overshadows everything. I'm so glad you do those amazing blog posts. They make me feel close to you in a weird way. But then when I see you I feel I shouldn't bring it up and my instinct is to keep it light. I don't know if that's cool with you. Do you like people talking about the blog when they run into you at the Market? or is that too much?
Anyway, either way, I'll see you and Caleb soon, I hope.
Love, K.C.

Jeff- in the Berkshires said...

Its been almost a week that I read this post. Carried it around, reread it a few times. Your words tend to do that, give you something to think about and chew over. Good stuff.

I can see that Kai's comment was not only a kick in the butt but a life preserver he was tossing you in the swell of deep waves and you have chosen to grab it and swim.
Isn't that was family does? Gives you something to hang on to.

Being strong for our kids is strong motivation and if that's what it takes, that's what it takes. But I think Kai's comment also was a reflection of all that you have taught your sons' [directly or indirectly] about being a scrapper for life and from knowing you these last couple of years from this perch, you are a scrapper in the best way.

There will be pain, there will be healing, there will be new growth, there will be the recurring sting of the past. There will be friends that will not know how to adjust to the Caleb of now, and perhaps will return when they find their footings again, but there will also be friends anew. Clinging to and being endlessly angry at the past is like squeezing a handful of sand. After a while it just hurts and aches and when you finally loosen your grip you find that there is not much left but a few grains and wonder where it went.

Life has definitely dumped a pile of shit in your path.... but the great life spirit has been consistently around sprinkling blessings and angels abound. Some of whom you have written about here and many in the past. The many brilliant sunrises you thought you might not share with Caleb, the many glorious sunsets and thrilling raging storms, the smiles and warmth of those who have not forgotten and walk with you and not away.

These are the stars that continue to light up the dark in your sky.

As always, warm thoughts of peace sent your way [and to all the blog community]

NY/Wellfleet Mom said...

You do not disappoint, Sharyn. You might cause your sons (and others) to worry sometimes. But you do not disappoint.

Be kind to yourself, my friend, and keep your eyes forward, not back.

NY/Wellfleet Mom

penny on st.john said...

I, too, have been giving your words a lot of thought and the fact that Kai is so perceptive and not afraid to speak his mind is very refreshing. A wake-up call! We all need that from time to time.
Never in a million years would you be considered a disappointment to your boys because you have been fighting to keep positive thoughts even 'tho the sadness sometimes was and is overwhelming. I am very happy that you grabbed that life-line, as Jeff so eloquently put it.

Your family is very strong and sometimes you have to lean on them for strength. Nothing wrong with that.

I just hope that you can at some time have well deserved peace.

My thoughts are with you, Sharyn.

Love and best wishes,

Penny

Anonymous said...

My Dearest Sharyn,

If only you knew how many lives you have touched and inspired, just by being, by living... day by day, breath by breath. This life is not easy, but the art of living lies in the one who continues on, challenging ourselves to push through to the brighter days.

You are an amazingly strong woman, and in life, we have our good moments, and our not-so-good moments. Just be grateful to your beautiful family for continually inspiring you to push on through with love in your heart.

I love you Sharyn, and your family. You all inspire me everyday. Thank you for that. I know I am not around as much as I used to be, but that doesn't stop my love from flowing from me to you...

Until our paths cross again... may the love of your family always inspire you to smile, and love some more!!

I know Jen sends her love always as well...

With Blessings of Love,
Keri