Caleb Ryan (age 15)

Caleb is love and connection. There is absolutely no one else like him. We are so so so proud of him and absolutely cannot imagine our lives, or a world, without him.

So, as you may already know, Caleb has special needs. I don’t want to devote much space to this fact in this post because he is so much more than that. He does not have a diagnosis. Basically, as our pediatrician would say, he is just Caleb. He is writing the book on himself, just as all children are. His disabilities are quite significant. He is intellectually disabled. He has mostly low muscle tone, but it can be spastic at times. His speech is difficult to understand. He drools… a lot. He walks funny. He looks like an explosion after he eats a meal (seriously. I often say, “I just want to cry”) He has had bilateral foot reconstruction, eye surgery…. honestly, the list goes on. Let’s just say, it’s a lot. God has used his condition, more than anything else I can think of, to teach me to trust in Him. In His love. In His power. In His provision.

Caleb is the most connective person I have ever seen. When he sets his mind to connecting with someone, he does not give up. He loves very quickly and very deeply. Turns out, connection and love, working together, are quite powerful. Why is he such a master at connection? I have thought about this a lot. Is it because he always assumes the best? Is it because he so easily laughs at himself and makes it ok to laugh at ourselves too? Is it because he keeps no record of wrongs? Is it because he has all the confidence and assumes others want to be his friend and want that connection? Is it because he will hug a grown man because he can tell he needs it? Is it because he isn’t afraid to ask questions? (I mean A LOT of questions) Is it because he says exactly what he thinks? Is it because he is so innocent? Is it because he understands the Gospel on it’s absolute simplest terms? Most likely, it’s all of these things combined.

People LOVE Caleb. “Are you Caleb’s mom?” has been said to me more times than I can count. In public. When Caleb is not with me. I used to be taken aback, but not anymore. I just laugh and say yes. Then, their response is typically, “He brings so much joy. He is an absolute delight.” Whether it’s the lady from the Knox County Vision Van, or the school janitor, or the teachers aide, or so-and-so’s mother, or a kid from the swim team….. they LOVE Caleb.

Caleb goes to Farragut Middle School and is in the 8th grade. He is so popular. I mean it’s ridiculous how many friends he has. I was actually just informed a few days ago that he has been nominated as “nicest” for the 8th grade superlatives. I love those sweet kids at FMS. Caleb comes home talking about them and their extreme kindness (and I have no doubt protection). About 2 months ago the basketball coach requested that Caleb come to a game and be a part of the team. We allowed Caleb to go and oh my word…. it was the sweetest! They let him sit on the bench, they let him take shots at halftime, he was even in the team photo!

Caleb is the oldest of our Fabulous 5 but functions very much as the baby. Silas, Cheyenne, Collin and Alexa all look out for him. Sometimes too much. We have certain children (Alexa!!!) who are too protective. If they see someone look at Caleb sideways they think it’s time to educate. We are working on it. Caleb loves to play with all 4 of his siblings. He plays basketball or swims with Silas. He does “therapy” or “school” with Cheyenne (that girl wants to do things with purpose… we will talk more about that later). He plays doctor with Collin. He plays baby or horse or puppy with Alexa (Horse is their current favorite. Just last night he was riding her around on his back).

I am so thankful that God created sweet Caleb exactly as he intended. He inspires me to look for the connections…. people are desperate for them.