This is the one about Caleb.
Posted July 12th, 2011 by Mike Lawson
In trying to spice up my diabetes-related content, I asked one of my favorite d-moms, Lorraine, to write a post about her son and their lives with Diabetes.
My Certainty is You, Caleb
For years I’ve followed and enjoyed Mr. Mike Lawson and his tell-it-like-it-is perspective on living with diabetes. When I see and hear Mike, I see a little of Caleb. At age 8, Caleb tends to be quiet and appropriate around others, but he is bold, frank and humorous around those with whom he is comfortable. When Mike asked if I would be interested in guest posting for him, my response was, “Your wish is my command”.
Caleb is bright, caring, silly and for the most part, responsible. I have to remind him to put his shoes on the shelf, make his bed and straighten up his room. But where it counts – things like his schoolwork or piano practice – I never have to think twice. He loves playing sports, particularly baseball. He takes that seriously as well. He listens to his coaches, does what he is told and usually takes constructive criticism well.
The area where Caleb is probably the most responsible is his diabetes. Just as he has been able to properly prioritize homework over shoe placement, so too has he prioritized his diabetes care over everything else.
I’m proud of how Caleb has been able to care for his diabetes without letting it take over his life. He wakes up and checks his blood sugar, without being asked, and then he goes about his day. When he sits down to eat he checks to be sure he was bolused and then joyously partakes in his meal.
Caleb has been able to integrate diabetes into his life like so many others have. It is genuinely just another thing that he needs to do during the day – like tying his shoes, brushing his teeth, etc.
Because he does these things so naturally, without complaint, I don’t consider Caleb as a person who “struggles” with diabetes. So to hear Mike tell me he enjoys reading about Caleb because he had similar struggles when he was younger gave me pause.
Not a long pause, mind you. Although it doesn’t consume him, of course living with diabetes presents struggles. Caleb voiced some of them during diabetes blog week.
More recently when filming his “You Can Do This” video, he had a rare moment of emotion:
I’m sorry Caleb that you have diabetes. I’m sorry that anyone has diabetes.
I am so proud of how nobly you handle it. I need to remember that every day of living with diabetes inherently presents struggles. The fact that you so casually blend it into your day, allowing me to forget how challenging it can be for you, only makes me more proud.
I am sorry to see you worry about the future. You don’t realize how much you already do for yourself and how each year, as you grow, you do a bit more.
I am here for you, Caleb, and I always will be. When you grow up, you will be doing things on your own, but you will never be alone.
You show me each and every day how capable you are, and because of this, I know how capable of a young man you will become. There are many things about the future that cause me worry. You being able to take care for yourself is not one of them. By what you do and who you are today, I know, with all my heart, that you will handle this and handle it well.
You are my certainty, Caleb.
With all my love,
Mom
29 Responses to “This is the one about Caleb.”
July 12th, 2011 at 7:35 am
There is no doubt that the way Caleb views his life with diabetes has much to do with what an amazing job Lorraine does as a parent. Thank you Lorraine and Caleb for all your inspiration and Mike for featuring them!
July 12th, 2011 at 7:47 am
Oh, wow! Thank you, Mike and Lorraine and Caleb! My Joel, 4yrs, is just getting to the point where he has some interest in his care. I know that means the weight of responsibility is around the corner. I need the voices of “you who have gone before” to call out to “us.” I need to be reminded and taught how to not only care for my son but teach him to care for himself. Lorraine, thank you for sharing your life with us.
July 12th, 2011 at 8:53 am
Thank you so much, Mike, for the opportunity to “speak” on your blog. I greatly appreciate how you have opened up to me and therein, Caleb. I can picture the day when you and Caleb start collaborating on videos – I see a comical, yet informative and poignant pair in the two of you!
July 12th, 2011 at 9:12 am
And the tears are flowing. Awesome post. Why am I just now finding your blog Mike?!
July 12th, 2011 at 10:30 am
This made me cry. Darn you, Lorraine. And thank you, Mike.
July 12th, 2011 at 11:45 am
[...] I am pleased to direct you over to Mr. Mike Lawson’s blog, What Some Would Call Lies, for a Guest Post of mine today. [...]
July 12th, 2011 at 12:26 pm
Wow, Lorraine. Thank you for sharing such a personal video and post. My boy is 19 now and has been living with diabetes for 11 years. And it was just not that long ago that I had a brief glimpse like yours into some of the emotional strain that diabetes brings. For a parent, it is heart wrenching. Hang in there. It appears that Caleb is well on his way to being a strong, independent young man.
July 12th, 2011 at 12:59 pm
Just wonderful Lorraine! Caleb is a strong, resilient young boy. You see a strong D Mama. Thanks for ome wonderful words.
July 12th, 2011 at 1:14 pm
Phew… did it get all dusty in here or is it me??? Inspirational to say the least and I could sense the moment when you knew he was opening up. You both are amazing.
July 12th, 2011 at 1:59 pm
Lorraine and Caleb, you are my heroes!
I wish every family would take diabetes as you do – there would be many more happy dia-kids around…
July 12th, 2011 at 2:32 pm
Hard to watch and amazing at the same time. Thank you for sharing – and Caleb for having the nerve to open up. He’s an incredible kid.
July 12th, 2011 at 2:33 pm
That was hard to watch and amazing at the same time. Thank you for posting – and Caleb for having the nerve to open up. He’s an incredible kid.
July 12th, 2011 at 3:30 pm
Oh man! That little guy just KILLS me!
You are doing such an amazing job with him! I hope this week at FFL helped him believe even more that he CAN do it and that he is NOT alone!
July 12th, 2011 at 4:25 pm
I saw Lorraine’s tweet earlier today, but was at work and couldn’t watch the video included here.
Now that I’m back home, I’m totally tearing up from watching this. I want to give Caleb a huge hug – and I’m about 2 days too late in order to do that!
I’m so glad the video project opened up some conversation for you and Caleb that may not otherwise have taken place. He’s a total rockstar, in my book.
July 12th, 2011 at 5:32 pm
It’s sad that kids with diabetes have to grow up so fast, and thinking about that I started to tear up. But as I watched it a second time I began to smile.
He’s very strong young man, how many his age would let you video him like that? I think it is very healthy for him to do that whenever he feels the need, we all do from time-to-time, no matter how long we’ve had diabetes.
I’m proud, not only of Caleb, but of all of you for providing a home where a young man such as Caleb can flourish and grow into his own.
July 12th, 2011 at 6:05 pm
and i’m crying AGAIN! what a trooper! lorraine, you are quite the mom, and caleb is quite the kiddo. i was SO EXCITED to meet you both.
i was so happy i got a pic with him at the banquet! yay! i got a pic with caleb! he’s famous!
love you guys!
July 12th, 2011 at 6:12 pm
Amen to Scott’s observation. How many 9 year olds will sit and show emotion like little Caleb? He’s a lucky kid to have such a supportive mom that he opens up to.
I was so happy to post this video and post.
July 12th, 2011 at 6:27 pm
Well shoot, tell Caleb he made another woman cry.
He really is a cool kid and I’m sure he will grow up to be a stong, confident man.
July 12th, 2011 at 6:35 pm
It’s incredible that he opened up like that. Such an amazing kid, with an amazing mother. So much respect.
July 12th, 2011 at 6:47 pm
You are a great mom and Caleb is a wonderful boy! I am so glad I finally met you both!
July 12th, 2011 at 8:10 pm
Please give Caleb a hug from me and tell that even ninja’s get scared but we still get through it.
He is amazing and so are you.
July 13th, 2011 at 12:39 am
Thank you Mike for featuring Lorraine. I have been ever so grateful for her candid post and videos about diabetes. I can’t even count the number of times I’ve put a youtube video of Caleb on to help Isaac deal with the frustrations of diabetes. I know that we all learn from this amazing team about how to continue to be loving and strong.
July 13th, 2011 at 4:00 am
I feel like Caleb.
sometimes someone asks me that specific question that hits home and I break.
This was a very powerful little video. THANK YOU
July 13th, 2011 at 8:36 am
Well, there are the tears that have mostly stayed in since I left FFL! That’s a really powerful video. I so appreciate the honesty.
I have no doubt that you are raising Caleb to be an amazing and independent person. And that he will have help when he needs it.
Thank you! and hugs to you both. Miss you tons!
h
July 13th, 2011 at 9:54 am
powerful video, beautiful words, amazing family, generous host, thank you all for sharing.
July 13th, 2011 at 11:10 am
Wow – such powerful comments from all of you – thank you so much. I felt a little vulnerable with this one. I feel responsible for Caleb’s physical and emotional well-being and to see him get upset about the future made me feel like I fell short of doing my job. I appreciate your validation of his feelings.
July 16th, 2011 at 6:50 pm
I love you guys (yes Mike, you too brother!).
One of the things that makes me most angry at diabetes is the emotional pressure it puts on someone like Caleb. It is so unfair, and totally breaks my heart.
Thank you Lorraine for sharing this touching moment with us.
July 21st, 2011 at 7:09 pm
I’m happy to report the success that came from the above conversation with Caleb: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGIjtEwjE-A
!
July 24th, 2011 at 8:06 am
Thank you to Caleb and Lorraine for sharing this very touching video. Hugs to you both. The DOC will always be here for him if he needs support or help.
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