Conversations with Caleb

 Caleb, I remember when you went through your flower phase. It was around the time you started liking girls. Imagine that. You found all sorts of small glass containers and filled them with little bouquets. I wish I had taken more pictures, but I did capture one. It truly is a picture worth a thousand words—a snapshot of a boy who loved deeply and wanted to share that love through the beauty of flowers. You brought me, Kylee, and JoAnn so many arrangements during that time… and maybe a girl or two as well.  Flowers suited you as a teenage boy.  You had an innate tenderness about you.   Flowers also go with funerals. You would have loved the flowers given to us at your funeral—beautiful arrangements from so many people who love you and who love our family. Words cannot express the gratitude we feel. You didn’t just love flowers. You loved beauty. I can still hear you saying, “Mom, come look at the sunset. It’s perfect right now!” Thank you for teaching me...

Caleb, The last couple of weeks have been full. Your sister Eryn received her mission call. She leaves in April. Because her departure is coming so quickly, we hurried to plan a weekend to go see your people - your mission friends. Your siblings rearranged work schedules and obligations so we could all go. All seven of us. You know how our family trips always count eight.  Six kids. Two parents. Seven felt… noticeable. A little tender. A little incomplete. But as we counted off in that van, every single one of us felt it - there were eight. You were with us the entire trip. Thank you for helping us feel whole. Buddy, this weekend was about you. The music. The hiking. The long stretches of driving. We wanted to understand you better, and in so many quiet ways, it felt like you were guiding us. What did we learn? Your gift to see people deeply was real. The people you served felt seen. You loved using your priesthood to bless and lift others. You were a goofball, ev...