Sunday, July 24, 2016

Tell Your Heart to Beat Again

That's what my family keeps telling each other.  Do you know the story behind singer Danny Gokey's song "Tell Your Heart to Beat Again"?  If not, I highly encourage you to watch this quick clip and listen to the song.  

http://www.godvine.com/Story-Behind-This-Inspirational-Song-Powerful-Beyond-Words-8467.html

It has been an interesting few months for Caleb.  

His health has given us a few big scares, and his cancer has made us cherish family more than ever. 
 Because of that, we have spent the past few months packing up our home that Caleb has grown up in and moving closer to my parents and all of our family.  We expected to spend so much more quality time with them.  Then, we got the shock of a lifetime.  Last weekend - Caleb's grandfather, my dad, was taken by ambulance - lights flashing- to the hospital. 
A few hours later, he was diagnosed with a rare terminal illness.
Caleb adores his granddad.  He has always been the picture of health.... never sick a day in his life... the only person I've ever known in their 70's to have never needed a prescription medication.
This is a brilliant man, who takes the time to teach the boys all kinds of things!
 How can it be - that doctors are now numbering his days and apologizing that there is no cure?  We have had to dig so deep to stay strong, rely on our faith, and keep our eyes on Jesus.  
My dad is a loving man to his children, grandchildren, and has been a wonderful husband to my mom for 53 years!
I cannot emphasize enough how very important it is to cherish loved ones every waking hour of the day.  We all know that tomorrow is not promised to us, but until you're hit with something like this, I think it's easy to take loved ones for granted. We think they will always be here with us. 

We are asking for prayers to help make my dad, Don Wilson, comfortable.  To get him off of oxygen.  To allow him some more time on this Earth.  To keep him positive.  To keep him strong.  He's one of the Godliest men I've ever known, and that is going to get him and all of his family through this.  

Caleb is unexpectedly off of chemo this week.  His blood counts took a big nose dive.  We are working to lower his stress levels.  He can't go anywhere in public, as one germ could be detrimental for his health.  It was tough for him to not go to the hospital to see his granddad, but luckily we're hospital-free now and my dad spent the evening with us last night.  

To backtrack, Caleb wrapped-up baseball season, and we were so happy he got through it. 
The smile shows you how much he loves it.
Unfortunately, many games ended up like this - with him sick and recovering for a while afterward.  He has decided to take a season off and try out for spring season.  He'll be off of chemo by then and on the road toward building strength and new muscle tone.
One of the biggest scares of his treatment happened in May.  Doctors feared he had contracted meningitis, the form that few survive. 
He was so very sick and our attempts to cheer him up didn't work for days.  It ended up "just" being a spinal tap leak, and we have never been so thrilled, relieved, and thankful in our entire lives. 
Caleb was shocked that doctors gave him the "green light" to eat sushi.  Crazy kid loves fish so much in any & every form. 
The start of the summer was fun for Cal, as he turned 9.  Our precious friends, Mark & Heather, threw a surprise party for him at their ranch. 
Heather is the amazing friend who came up with the "Courage of a Lion" for Caleb at the first of his diagnosis, and he relies on that all of the time!
One of my besties, Beth, also came up with an all natural dye-free paleo cake and spent hours making it for him!      
PERFECTION! 
 When we moved, Caleb wanted his new room to be as bright and happy as physically possible.  He chose bold red chalkboard paint.  
He loves being able to "legally" write on his walls!
We really enjoyed going to a celebration of life and end of chemo for Cal's friend, Nolan (far left.)  All four of these boys have been cancer fighters.  They have so much in common.  It's powerful seeing them together and knowing how strong they've all had to be. 
Caleb just attended his 10th golf tourney that I host for Children at Risk.  How is 10 possible?  Because he was there with me when I was 9 months pregnant with him, too!  ha ha.  

The Houston School of Massage therapists on the course REALLY spoiled him this year.  Now he's ready for next year's tourney RIGHT NOW.  
My thoughtful boss also provided lots of fun entertainment for the boys!
Daddy David gets creative when Caleb isn't feeling well - and takes him on a walk anyway... the manly way to do it!
A precious woman from a local church made this beautiful afghan for me and had it delivered to my job.  
She even had her pastor bless it and pray over it in my name.  It is so meaningful.  Unfortunately, the card got lost in our move and I haven't even been able to reach her.  If you happen to be reading this and know who it is - please let me know!  I want to hug her precious neck.  She also made Caleb a matching pillow. I will rely on this blanket now, more than ever, for multiple reasons. I will cherish it at hospital visits for my son and dad and many times in between! 
I'm also wearing my "Courage" lion necklace for added strength.  Thanks, Laurie!
 For now, I'll keep telling my heart to beat again.  Words fall short in times like these, when the world draws you to your knees.  I want the shadows to fall away, and I want to step into the light of grace.  As the song states, all of our stories are far from over.  Why a child is diagnosed with cancer in Kindergarten or why a Godly man, who has earned many more years on this Earth, is diagnosed with an incurable disease is impossible for me to understand.  I know I can't question God.  I know it's in His plan.  I know we will all be together for eternity. 

1 Peter 5:7 
He is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you.  

48 comments:

  1. Prayers for your precious family! May God keep you all wrapped in His comfort blanket.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love you guys! So sorry to hear about your dad. Prayers, The Greens XXXOOO

    ReplyDelete
  3. Praying for your sweet family! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

    ReplyDelete
  4. Blessings, comfort, and peace to you and your family. I pray you have a fresh revelation of Jesus' everlasting, never ending love for you.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Melissa, I am praying for your precious Caleb, your precious Dad, for you, and your whole family. Your courage and grace leave me speechless. Sending prayers for strength, peace, and for you to feel a blanket of God's love wrapped around you. God bless you. ❤️

    ReplyDelete
  6. Praying for your dad and for your family, Melissa! May God keep your dad comfortable and your family strong!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Praying for you and your family!! Have you considered a ketogenic diet for your son? I'm sure you have researched everything possible but this is a diet known to starve cancer cells of the glucose they run on to survive.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I will definitely look into that, thank you!

      Delete
    2. Praying for all of you ! That song is truly a blessing . I heard him tell the back story on Air 1 .. and totally related !!!! May Caleb remain strong and courageous

      Delete
    3. Praying for all of you ! That song is truly a blessing . I heard him tell the back story on Air 1 .. and totally related !!!! May Caleb remain strong and courageous

      Delete
  8. My prayers for you and all your family members. Being a strong woman of faith also means realizing so many more blessings. Stay strong. 💜

    ReplyDelete
  9. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family for healing, blessings,peace and comfort.

    ReplyDelete
  10. My prayers for you and all your family members. Being a strong woman of faith also means realizing so many more blessings. Stay strong. 💜

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thank you all very much. Prayers are powerful.

    ReplyDelete
  12. As I sit here and read everything that you are going through. ....it brakes my heart that your son as such a young age has to go through this... may God bless you with a alot of courage and strength to keep going.... I just had a stroke and was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. .. I am a mother of 3 girls and pray day and night that I do not feel any more pain.... stay strong and I will be praying for you and your family!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Prayers for Caleb and his Grandpa Don, to you Melissa and your beautiful family and friends. This move you are making is positive. The more love and prayer you can circle around Caleb and your Dad Don will never be broken.

    ReplyDelete
  14. As I sit here and read everything that you are going through. ....it brakes my heart that your son as such a young age has to go through this... may God bless you with a alot of courage and strength to keep going.... I just had a stroke and was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. .. I am a mother of 3 girls and pray day and night that I do not feel any more pain.... stay strong and I will be praying for you and your family!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Praying for you and your precious family!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Sending prayers and blessings to you and your family. God knows all about your situation and he is always mindful of you all.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Sending prayers and blessings to you and your family. God knows all about your situation and he is always mindful of you all.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Praying for you and your precious family!! Hold on to your faith...God is with you all every step of the way!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Praying for you and your precious family!! Hold on to your faith...God is with you all every step of the way!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Praying for you and your amazing family God Bless.

    ReplyDelete
  21. God Bless you and your beautiful family prayers always for your family

    ReplyDelete
  22. God Bless you and your beautiful family prayers always for your family

    ReplyDelete
  23. Thank you for sharing and allowing us to send love and prayers to you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Thank you for sharing and allowing us to send love and prayers to you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Prayers for you and your family. I was so happy to meet your parents at the Lights of Courage luncheon this year, the love between them, their love for you, and you for them could be felt so strongly - I will ask God lift up each of you and carry you through this time...he will be your Footprints in the Sand, I know.

    ReplyDelete
  26. DeaR Lord, I ask you turn these moments into strenght, this suffering into compassion, sorrow into joy, and psin into comfort for the Melissa Wilson and her family. Their trust in your goodness and your faithfulness even in the middle of suffering. Let the family be filled with patience during this time. AMEN

    ReplyDelete
  27. Oh, Melissa...
    I love you and your family so much. I hate seeing you hurt. I will pray and then pray some more. Tell your dad I love him and your mom too.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Praying for you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  29. May God continue to comfort and keep you. I all to well understand where you are emotionally and physically. I too had a sick 12 year old and 7 immediate family members sick all at one time. My son has survived but will have his illness for the rest of his life, my 7 family members are gone on. I'll cherish their memories forever. Keep looking to God for your strength because he is the one that will provide everything you need. Some days I was burning both ends of the candle and the middle. Get rest where you can and keep praying. I'm asking Jehovah Rapha God the healer to come to your son Caleb and your dad Mr. Wilson. Their healing is on the way and so is yours. Be strong as you can and cry when you need to but pray about everything and worry about nothing. Be blessed.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Stay strong, stay hopeful. Doctor's words are not final. Those who hope in the Lord will not be ashamed. Praying for God's peace, rest, and love supernaturally saturating in your heart, to give you hope and a future.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Stay strong, stay hopeful. Doctor's words are not final. Those who hope in the Lord will not be ashamed. Praying for God's peace, rest, and love supernaturally saturating in your heart, to give you hope and a future.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Dear Melissa and family, I'm thinking of you and praying that each day is full of joy and good health. Your family is precious. Please give your Mom and Dad big hugs. It was a pleasure taking care of your Dad and bringing some laughter to his room. Sometimes there are no right words to say but laughter can ease the hurt. Praying often for your little one, too. I cannot fathom the fear you face daily. Caleb is strong and has already endured so much. He is an overcomer! God Bless you all!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Dear Melissa, I watch you every morning with a huge smile and that makes my day brighter. Now it's time for a lot of use that watch you every morning with that beautiful smile of yours to left you up in prayer. May God give your little angle the strength he needs. You and your entire family are in out prayers. May God bless you and keep you lifted.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Dear Melissa, I watch you every morning with a huge smile and that makes my day brighter. Now it's time for a lot of use that watch you every morning with that beautiful smile of yours to left you up in prayer. May God give your little angle the strength he needs. You and your entire family are in out prayers. May God bless you and keep you lifted.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Prayers for you and your Family, God is all we have for hope. I know he listens and answers our prayers. We will never know this side of Heaven why things happen but God does and we have to trust him. Continue to pray and Love your Family with all your heart, God will see you through this.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Prayers for the family and the best results

    ReplyDelete
  37. May the Creator of all things send His comforting angels to you, your family, and the medical staff. May the Redeemer of all, wrap His loving arms around you and give you His strength to get through this time. May the Spirit of Life help you all to see good in even this trying, frustrating, difficult time. You are in my prayers.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Prayers for all you guy's

    ReplyDelete
  39. Oh, Melissa, I wish I could give you a big hug right now! It hurts my heart to hear about your dear Dad and Caleb's tumultuous fight. I know how much your Dad means to you and your precious boys. I know how tired you must feel, and that's ok. That's why we're here, to encourage you to keep the faith, to cover you in prayer, and to remind you how big our God is, and that he loves you so very much! What a blessing that your family moved closer to your parents, at a time when they need you most! God knew and his timing is always perfect. I have to remind myself of that, too, in my own life. Know that Caleb is in my prayers...specifically, for strength and for his spirit...for no pain, and for healing in and to his body, in Jesus name. I will also begin praying for divine healing for your Dad, in Jesus name. I'm also praying for you, sweet friend, for peace, strength, comfort and that you will feel our Heavenly Father's arms wrapped around you when you need him most. Love you! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  40. I feel more peaceful after reading all of your comments. Thank you for sharing heartfelt comments. It is touching & encouraging.

    ReplyDelete
  41. I'm in tears. Hugging you from Texas. Prayers for you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Melissa, We watch you every morning and I'm always thinking of what a load you have with your child ill. And now this terrible news about your Dad. At times like these, God is all we have. I just read Dodie Osteen's book, If My Heart Could Talk. We are not members of her church but I enjoyed her story and to hear her speak of miracles God does provide. We are saying many prayers for your sweet Caleb and your Dad.

    ReplyDelete
  43. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Words are so inadequate, but Jesus never fails! Stay strong! The battle belongs to the Lord! You are loved...

    ReplyDelete
  45. Caleb will be greatly missed at Cornerstone! Especially by my grandson. I always LOVE seeing him smiling at school functions and in class. May God continue to cover your family with healing and comfort in His own special way. Faithful prayers continue.

    ReplyDelete