Message from Trudy

[Guest guest]

Caleb was actually 19 and 1/2 years old to the day.

I appreciate everyone's thoughts and prayers at this time. It has been

difficult to deal with the loss of Caleb. But in our hearts we know Caleb

is in a better place, in no pain, and free, free to run as fas as he can,

to see over things he couldn't before and for those areas that were a

disability to him are no longer there. He can enjoy peace, no more sorrow

or pain.

He is with his Dad and I am sure they have a lot to catch up on, as well as

a wonderfully big hug from his favorite physician, Dr. Kopits.

Caleb was not in pain when he passed away. He had gone into a coma due to

a hemorrhagic stroke of the brain. One that could not be foreseen or

corrected. Caleb portrayed an attitude of strength, courage and

determination. He never felt sorry for himself. He would do whatever he

felt was within his limits, sometimes he pushed it a little, but then he

was a typical teenage boy.

He taught many that the small things in life are not worth the time to

argue over, that even the smallest wonders of the earth and our life was

worth enjoying and that whatever he could do to help others was something

that gave him great joy. If only we could all do those things. Most of

the time, he would never complain of pain, and his pain was tremendously

high, although his pain tolerance was on the high end as well.

I have a void in my heart that no words can express. As a Mom, no parent

is ever ready for their child to die before they do. It doesn't seem fair,

but yet God never promised us life would be fair. We must all appreciate

our children to the fullest. Cherish each day as if it were your last and

most of all never ever go to bed without telling them how much you love them.

God allowed me to keep Caleb a lot longer than I ever anticipated with all

the complications he had. Through any one of those 143 surgeries he could

have passed away. God was gracious to give me almost 20 years with

him. As I held him after he passed away, his life flashed before me,

remember all the wonderful times, the fun days, the laughter and even the

day after day in the hospital from each surgery. He would always ask if I

would be there after the surgery and would I make sure he was all right. I

assured him each and every time, I would be waiting for him in recovery and

that with God's help he would make it through just fine. And he always

did! I had to be his strength and his security to lean on through all of

his medical interventions.

Again, thank you all for your wonderful and caring emails. I am happy to

be a part of a Listserv that is so understanding and thoughtful towards

each other. We truly are one big family. Take care and thank you again.

Trudy