"This life as we know it will become something else. And when we cross over, we will suddenly see all the angels who held us and helped us. They will be cheering at the finish line and filling us with love." ~Unknown
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DAN'S CHOCOLATES FOR EASTER! Send these yummy truffles freshly made in a box personalized by you! Send to your favorite editor right away! (Kidding. Sort of.)
http://www.qksrv.net/click-404250-10281988 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is definitely a "Tissue Issue", so get 'em ready! Be sure to read the Letter Box today for a special request to send cards to a boy who has been in the hospital so much of his young life!
CALE
by Karen Harper DeLoach
I dreaded the funeral. My best friend Linda was burying her only son.
Cale was a handsome young man with sun-bleached hair, big blue eyes, and a crooked little grin that revealed his mischievous nature. He had been diagnosed with osteosarcoma at the age of nineteen.
Cale endured the loss of one-quarter of his body, his leg and hip from the waist down. He endured the regret of realizing all the things he would never be able to do again, like playing soccer or even sitting comfortably. He had suffered through countless rounds of aggressive chemotherapy and experimental treatments. Only those closest to him were allowed to witness the agony of his battle with tormenting pain. But through it all, Cale's sense of humor and his tough fighting spirit shone through for the entire world to see.
Toward the end, cancer invaded his lungs. He finally told Lavaughn, "Dad, I'm tired."
In the middle of the night, he said "I love you" to his family for the last time. His mom and dad, his sisters McKenzie and Kaycee, and Dan, his brother-in-law-to-be, gathered around his bed as he conveyed his last private message to each one of them. He closed his eyes and went to sleep. Then he drifted away to be with the Lord at the age of twenty-two.
Visitation with a grieving family is an important tradition in the South. As my husband and I drove to the funeral home, I expected a large crowd there. But what I saw blew me away! Six hundred people stood in line to file through the funeral home and pay their respects to Cale and his family. Strong young men and fragile-looking girls sobbed uncontrollably as they hugged Linda's neck. Cale was deeply loved, and his friends weren't ashamed to show it. Cale's family is well-regarded in the community, and people came in droves to show their support. The visitation time was so emotional. How would everybody get through the funeral, I wondered.
The next afternoon, Cale's family filed into the overflowing church as Sarah MacLachlan's haunting strains of "In the Arms of an Angel" filled the air. Tears flowed during the memorial service, but laughter also rang through the arched rafters of the sanctuary as "Cale stories" were shared.
Cale's Granddaddy Laircey told of the time when Cale was just a little feller, and the tabby cat went missing. Cale's big sister Kaycee looked for her pet inside and out. Finally she asked Cale, "Have you seen my kitten?" Three-year-old Cale ran into the kitchen and dragged a chair over to the refrigerator. He climbed onto the chair and pulled open the freezer door. Reaching in, he pulled out the mewing cat! "I want a cool cat!" he declared.
A few buddies got up and reminisced about Cale, sharing stories that blended laughter and tears. The three ministers who conducted the service didn't try to paint a picture of a saint. Instead, they spoke of Cale's human frailties, typical of an adventurous young fellow, as well as his strength of character. They also told of his strong spiritual decision to give his heart to God. We all rejoiced in the fact that Cale is whole again in his eternal heavenly home.
I sang a song about Cale being sheltered in the arms of God. Another friend sang "Cale's Song". It's a beautiful song written especially for Cale to encourage him when the dreadful disease first attacked his body.
Then the family's pastor, feeling strongly impressed by God, gave a salvation invitation so people could receive Jesus Christ as Savior. Many people raised their hands and then followed as Pastor Colby led in the prayer of salvation. After the funeral, a friend ran up to Kaycee and hugged her. "I just want you to know that I accepted the Lord as my Savior today," she said, with a big smile. What a wonderful tribute to Cale's life!
Cale's Uncle Horace ended his portion of the memorial service by sharing a dream he had the night Cale died. In the dream, Cale's body was whole again. He and Horace were running together. Horace was wearing a pair of baggy jogging shorts. As he ran, his shorts flapped wildly behind him as though they were flying in the breeze. He called back to Cale who was behind him, "Look Cale! I'm flying!"
Here Horace paused and said, "Remember the story of Peter Pan and Wendy? Wendy couldn't fly, so Peter Pan took her hand, and she went flying across the sky with him. In my dream, when I saw my baggy shorts and called to Cale, 'Look Cale, I'm flying,' he answered back, 'Me, too, Uncle Horace!' And when I turned around to look at him, there he was - flying across the sky, holding on to the hand of Jesus!"
I had dreaded the funeral, but I came away comforted and encouraged. Cale touched many lives in his short time on earth. And in his passing, more lives were blessed as they gave their hearts to the Lord. Now they share the hope with us of one day seeing Cale again, whole, grinning his crooked grin.
Until that day, we can remember the dream.......Cale flying across the sky, holding onto the hand of Jesus!
Karen Harper DeLoach copyright 2003
Karen is the author of a book entitled "Thirty-one Years and a Stumble" (
http://karendeloach.tripod.com/ )- a story of restoration and hope in the healing of her marriage. She is the mother of three sons and helps her husband at their business in Georgia. Karen's profile and previous stories are found on our Writer of the Month page:
www.2theheart.com/heartwriters ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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The Letter Box:
This is from Sue Henley. It's a request for 'cheering up' cards to a boy who is her cousin's cousin. I'm going to send several cards - please send one too!! Love, Sooz
PS - This boy is around 12
Here is a letter from one of his nurses:
Thank you for your time. I'm a nurse at Children's Medical Center in Dayton Ohio. Many children come and go, but one in particular has won the hearts of us all. This is a boy who has been coming here for over 5 years for treatment of Crohns disease. This past Dec. 6, 2002, he had his first major surgery. Since then he has had 7 more, removing parts of his intestinal track. He has been fighting infections for over 3 months now. Since Dec. 6th, he has only been home for about 2 weeks. I would like to raise his spirits up. I hope all will help me in doing this. If only a few would respond, it would work wonders. Please send this child ( young man) a get well card. I believe his spirits would be raised tremendously!!! Please!!! Thanks now to all who may respond to this letter.
Send to
Harvey Bocock II Rm 359
C/O Childrens Medical Center
One Childrens Plaza
Dayton Ohio 45404 Please brighten his day!!
THANKS!!!
Sue Henley
2theheart,
I really enjoyed John's story, "The Picture". It is a "picture" of the ties of love that bind us together in our families.
Pamyblaine@aol.com Thank you. JoAnna47
