My Life as a COMMA!

LOVE that smile!! My ball player!

This is my precious Caleb Harrison!  Today is his 22nd birthday.  Today I want to share a little bit about how much life he fit into his short 8 years on this earth!

Caleb is my third child.  His brothers were 3 and 2 when he was born so he came into the world knowing that mom needed him to be a good boy….and that is just what he was!  I remember going to the doctor on this day 22 years ago for a check up.  You see, his due date wasn’t until November 3rd so I hadn’t really done all I needed to do in preparation for him to come!  Well…I went to the doctor…and after he checked me he smiled and told me I was going to have a baby today.  I very sternly looked at him and told him, “No, I am not having a baby today.  I am not ready!”.  He just smiled at me and shook his head.  I remember him telling me that it was ok.  He was going to let me go home then to get ready.  He said I could just meet him at the hospital the next day and we’d just get the process started because he thought the baby was big enough.  OR…….if I started to feel too much pain…I should call him and head straight to the hospital!  This doctor had delivered my second son and almost missed the birth!  I have fairly easy deliveries and once things progress…they progress rather quickly!  Anyway….it made me feel better that I could go home and do some things before I had him.  So……we went home!

Little did I know the doctor had told my husband I wouldn’t last the day and to make some calls as soon as we got home!  So…we went home and got busy with chores….feeding the horses…taking care of the boys and such.  Then…about two hours later….WHAM!  I felt a pain in my lower back that made me remember just before things got serious before delivering Cory.  I conceded we should probably head to the hospital.  So we called the doctor’s office (like we were supposed to do) and they alerted the hospital we were on our way.  Only problem was…we didn’t leave immediately!  I really didn’t feel any more major pains.  The phone rang and was a friend from high school I hadn’t seen in forever….so I chatted.  And time got away from me….and then….over an hour and a half later….we left.  Well…..when I wheeled up to the 2nd floor…in a wheel chair…the nurses RUSHED me and swooped what they thought (I guess) could have been the baby from my arms.  It was my pillow.  There were people there waiting for me from my church…and I just hadn’t bothered to get there yet!!

Long story to say that at 6:41 pm that evening…..my sweet….8 lb 12 ounce bundle of joy was born into this world!

Funny faces!

And a joy he truly was.  We had so much fun with him!  He laughed at the world.  He never took anything too serious.  Although…at the same time he was a very serious kid.  You could always tell when he was in deep thought!  And that was often!  Once, when my sister had taken him on a trip to the grocery store……he amazed her with this analogy.  It was during one of those spitting rains.  When they got out of the car…she said, “Let’s run!”.   His reply was, “No.”.  “Why not?”, she had asked.  “Because it isn’t raining that much.  It is like when you are at a stop light in a car and you don’t need your wipers but when the car goes forward and faster you do need them.  If we run…..we will get more wet!”.     Hhhhhmmmmmmmmmm.  Made ya think….didn’t it?  That was how my Caby was.  He was always thinking!

And he was FUNNY!  He could do the macarena like no other! And he loved to dance to the YMCA!  He could tell you which direction you were going while in a car when he was only 3…..and that was waaaaay before they had the directional stuff in the dash or on the rear view mirror!  Yet…he was always smiling and having fun!  He played the piano, was a boy scout, played soccer, basketball and baseball.  He loved school!  His teachers couldn’t wait for there to be some sort of standardized testing done to see what his IQ was! This never happened by the way….so I can only guesstimate…and since I am mom…..I am going to say it was HIGH!!!

caby and cinnamon

He loved life!  And he lived it to its fullest.  He played hard.  Anything his brothers could do…he learned to do!  Rollerblading, bike riding…you name it…he’d match it or better it!  He didn’t know a stranger and loved everyone!  He used to cut his hair in a buzz cut.  People would love the way it felt.  Some would ask if they could touch it and he’d say……..for a dime!  He made a great Forrest Gump.  He’d put his best effort into it…..then say, “My momma says, “Life is like a box of chocolates…..Never know what you’re gonna get!””.  So true.

Birthday Blowout!

Well you know…..Forrest’s mom had another quote.  He also said, “Momma always said, dying was a part of life. I sure wish it wasn’t.”

I wish that too.  Oh….. how I wish that we could all go through this life together.  Starting in the same moment and ending in the same moment with all of our loved ones.  I can’t begin to tell you how much I miss him!

I love you, my Caby baby!  You lit up my life for your short 8 years.  But you left me with so many sweet, wonderful memories that I know will carry me through…..until we meet again.  I know you are ok.  I know you are celebrating life, love and eternal peace!  This makes me happy!  But not having you here with me….well…it just makes this momma’s heart very sad.

I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of Him who sent me.  John 6:38

I know, sweet boy, that while you were here on this earth….you did glorify God with your life.  And I also know that since you’ve been gone…..that short life has touched many…..  I know that the piece of chocolate that you were….is the kind that left a sweet taste in everyone’s hearts that came into contact with you.  A taste that can never be forgotten……never be replaced.  And why would we want to try?  There is only one Caby baby!

My love to you ….. today and always….until we meet again!    ~mommy