Way of the K

Later this evening would mark the time of day when Caleb was born 5 years ago, stillborn into this world more than a month too soon to be able to survive the delivery process. Even though the outcome was certain, a full delivery process still had to take place.

Caleb’s strong beat, present right up until birth, saw him fight – not for himself, but to illustrate how to prevent his circumstance from repeating, leading to his sister’s birth two and a half years ago. She is just getting to the point where she could begin to understand her brother looking over her from above – just as he did during the nine months before she was born.

The first year was tough, the 2nd not as much because we knew he was looking out for his sister in the womb, and this now the 3rd one since she was born. It is still rough dealing with that pain, that we were denied the chance to get to know him as we have been able to watch and learn as his sister has grown.

She does him proud – all that any father can expect out of a child.

Today marks a solemn day, one that should have been a joyful day. It would have been my son’s fourth birthday. Caleb was born this day in 2001, at 10:30pm, but was too young to survive on air, and he passed away during delivery.

We mark the occasion every year on this day with a cake, candle, his photo, and one of the ornaments we made in his memory for Christmas 2001. Only this year, his little sister got to participate, (at least more fully than last), even singing part of happy birthday.

She definitely makes it easier to deal with, knowing that she is here with us because of Caleb’s sacrifice, and that her big brother is looking out for her from Heaven.