On a poignant May late evening (14.05.24), a small group of friends had gathered with Caleb’s family in a cozy room, their hearts heavy with both sorrow and love. It was his 41st birthday, a bittersweet occasion marked by the knowledge that his battle with brain cancer was nearing its end.
As I sat beside Caleb, his frail form in the wheelchair, I couldn’t help but reflect on the preciousness of life and the resilience of the human spirit.
That room soaked with whispered prayers, strangely juxtaposed with the scent of a lovely meal, and the soft strains of the keyboard played by Caleb’s only daughter Janey of a beloved hymn of Caleb, “Fairest Lord Jesus,” filled the room. Our voices trembled, yet the melody carried us beyond the confines of that small space. The lyrics spoke of beauty, grace, and the promise of eternity. As we sang, I imagined the day when all sickness will be gone, all tears wiped from every eye and Caleb will get to dance freely, unencumbered by illness, surrounded by light.
The pastor, a gentle soul with kind eyes, stepped forward. His words were a beacon of hope, drawing from the Gospel of John. He recounted the miracle of the five loaves and two fishes—a story of Christ enabled possibility born from human impossibility. Caleb’s life, too, had been a testament every passing day to resilience and unexpected blessings. The pastor encouraged us to find strength in our shared faith nudging us cherish every moment we had left with Caleb.
The cake, held in front of Caleb by a family friend has no candles lit; instead, we traced our fingers imagining the flickering flames. Caleb has lost sight in both his eyes, but perhaps imaginative contemplation of the wishes he dared not speak aloud. A few who had gathered shared a few morsels of cream, for him to savor a few bites, as if it held the essence of our friendship.
We sat in a circle, tasting delicious homemade food. Caleb’s appetite is diminished, but his ever loving mother kindly fed him porridge, though he may not have savoured the flavors. Around him, some talked about ordinary things—the weather, childhood memories, and dreams for the future. In those moments, the weight of impending loss lifted, and we were simply friends and family breaking bread together.
The warm glow from the street lights that peeked through the window, reminded me it was time for me to leave. I prayed, for Caleb’s peace, for strength, for fortitude, and I was overwhelmed in gratitude—for the privilege of being part of his journey so far. As I walked back home I drew STRENGTH from Psalm 121.
Steadfast Look: “I lift up my eyes to the hills.” When life feels overwhelming, lift your gaze heavenward. Fix your eyes on God, knowing that He is our unwavering source of strength. Just as the hills stand firm, so is His steadfast love towards us.
Trustworthy Helper: “From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD.” Our help doesn’t come from human strength alone; it comes from the all-powerful Creator of heaven and earth. Trust in His unwavering assistance, for He is faithful.
Rock-Solid Foundation: “He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.” God’s presence keeps us steady, like an unshakable foundation. Even when life’s ground seems uncertain, He holds us firm.
Ever-Watchful Guardian: “Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” Just as God watches over Israel, He guards us with unwavering love and care. His vigilance never wavers; He watches over us day and night.
Never-Failing Shade: “The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand.” Imagine the shade of a protective tree on a scorching day. God shields us from life’s trials, providing comfort and relief.
Graceful Shelter: “The sun shall not strike you by day.” God’s grace shields us from harm even in challenging times. Just as the sun’s rays can be harsh, His grace covers us, preserving us from harm.
Tireless Protector: “Nor the moon by night.” His care extends beyond daylight. Even in the darkness of life’s struggles, God remains our tireless protector. We are never alone.
Hope Eternal: “The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.” Our hope rests in His eternal promise. From every beginning to every end, He is with us—now and forevermore.
In that room, on Caleb’s 41st birthday, we celebrated life even as we stared at its fragility face to face. His loved ones will remember his laughter, the songs he loved, and the shared meals, some of which he cooked, his attention to details, his stubborn love—the moments that transcended illness and connected us heart to heart. Caleb’s legacy was being written, albeit the last few pages, would live on, not only in our memories but also in the way we cherished every precious one.
May we always remember to trust in the Lord Jesus, for He is our strength, refuge, and eternal hope.
Hope never dies on this side of Eternity…
Sequel on Why God Why:
https://wp.me/p20iSS-6o