A Weekend of Emotional Healing

Finally, it's Caleb's mom here - feeling strong enough to update the blog. Words can't express our thankfulness for darling friend Bridget, who has been keeping you updated. I have read each and every one of your meaningful comments. I wish I could respond individually to everyone of you. It's simple to snuggle with Caleb and read the blog, not so easy to type while holding him. :) We spent the weekend at Camp Cliff in Burton, Tx, organized by the "Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Family Alliance". They're known for providing emotional, educational, and practical support to families who are dealing with childhood cancer. They did that and MORE for our family. We left home Friday feeling broken, but came back Sunday feeling whole. Here's a look at how our healing began...

We still keep asking ourselves: How is a child, who has barely gotten out of bed in a month & unable to climb stairs at home, able to climb a rock wall and then zipline down? Only by the love and care and counsel of Candlelighters and the grace of God! We hadn't seen him smile in so long... what a blessing.

LOOK AT HIM GO!!!!! 

Candlelighters encouraged him to paddle his own canoe. He dug deep inside - and DID IT.      

                                                                                                                            

We released almost 400 balloons in honor of children who lost their battle to cancer, for those fighting for their lives like Cal, and those who've defeated cancer.

We wrote special messages on our balloons.

Big brother, Zachary, even dressed-up his balloon, to make Cal smile.

 Believe me, plenty of tears were shed, as we watched the balloons disappear into the beautiful sky, with new hope for the future. (All to the beautiful tune of "Borrowed Angels" by Kristin Chenowith).
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             There's something powerful between horse and child.   I think "Sugar Ray" shared a powerful message to Caleb's sad little eyes.

Caleb hopped on him without fear and again... that smile.

 Caleb shocked us with his determination to conquer the Ropes Course in record timing. He scaled the unimaginable and completed what I wasn't brave enough to do.

Smiling again....

 Later, in the darkness by a campfire, a spokesperson from every cabin came forward, made a wish, and lit a candle. We sent the candles away on a "wish boat" in the water. Before the lit-up ribbon sailed by, there was only darkness.

We were reminded that in darkness, all alone, is not a happy place to be. We need to look toward the light and love of others to get through this. Then, the sky burst to life with fireworks. We felt God's love shining down upon us. We could finally see light at the end of the long tunnel. Peace washed over us, as we listened to "Home" by Phillip Phillips.

Caleb's Daddy got a "buzz cut" to show him how cool short hair is!

To wrap up the special weekend, we were each given a piece of yarn. We all tied our pieces together and we were told to remember that we all have a "common thread" and to count on one another in times of need.  We hugged each other, while listening to "The World's Greatest" by R Kelly.

When we got home, Caleb completed 30 days of swallowing a total of 592 pills. (YES, I counted every single one of them and charted each victory!) :) Many days - 20 pills per day! We watched him go from drinking 4 huge glasses of juice to get them down in an hour to just half a glass in one minute!

He also just made the bold and incredible statement, "Cancer is not in my body anymore". I cried myself to sleep, but for the first time, with tears of utter joy. We will find out this Friday if his prediction is true. Please keep this brave, strong little boy in your prayers. We stand amazed at him.  We know it's YOU, helping lift him up through prayer. God bless you all. The overall theme of this past weekend was based around Katy Perry's song "Roar".  Ironic that one of our dear friends gave Caleb a stuffed lion, with an engraved name tag "Courage" & the Bible verse Deuteronomy 31:6 - Be strong & courageous.  (Thanks Heather!)  Caleb is proving to be just that.