What An Honor!! ...Plus a Royal Invitation!

Back when we moved here, almost 5 years ago, Grant was called to be Young Men's 1st Counselor (with Caleb's dad, also named Grant, as the Young Men's President), and had the pleasure of meeting a boy named Caleb.  As we started to get to know Caleb, we realized there was something very special about him.  I was especially impressed with the confidence he had to always do what he knew was right and also the unconditional love he had for others, especially those who needed some extra love.  (Neither one of which are typical teenage behaviors- rare for sure!)

We also learned of the story of Caleb's birth.  18 years ago, he was born at 24 weeks!  And although every baby in the ICU with him has severe problems to this day (blind, celebral palsy, etc.), Caleb has not one thing wrong with him!  What a miracle!  Grant and I have discussed several times that Caleb is definitely destined to do special things in his life.

Grant continued to have more time to get to know Caleb through becoming his Scoutmaster, Venture Leader, Young Men's President, Seminary Teacher, and most importantly... his friend.  They had (and still do have) quite an amazing bond, even from the very beginning.  (They even have a special hand shake that they do whenever they see each other and Caleb and the other scouts gave Grant the nickname of Dr. Dre {Drey}.  LOL!)  They went on tons and tons of hikes together and had lots and lots of talks about life.

We have become really close with not only Caleb, but his family as well.  (They are quite an incredible family and we are blessed to know them.)  We love hanging out with Grant and Vanessa, but even when they aren't there, we still totally love hanging out with just the kids!  Sometimes when my Grant and I are just hanging out and talking with Brooke and Caleb, it feels like we are hanging out with our friends.  (I guess that means that either we are really immature...  LOL!!  or Brooke and Caleb are very mature for their ages... anyone who knows them, knows that the latter is true.)  We even had the privilege to have him stay with us for a week, when he was a bit younger, when he chose to come here while his parents were gone.  It was like my girls had a big brother for a week!  It was pretty special!

We've also had the opportunity to watch him perform on many occasions (Curly- "Oklahoma," Beast-"Beauty and the Beast," Snoopy- "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown" were our favorites) and even perform along with him in "The Broadway Review" we were in together.  He has amazing command of the stage and is hilarious!!  (He is quite talented on the guitar, as well.  And speaking in funny voices-- for example, speaking with a Russian accent with his friends, or speaking like Tigger.  LOL!)  What a talented kid!

When he gives the Sacrament prayers on Sunday, he has such feeling behind it.  It is touching.  And I love to hear him bear his testimony!  He is very wise for a teenager!  And I know that he has a relationship with his Heavenly Father and his Savior, Jesus Christ.  He is a great example to the youth (and adults) in our ward.  He is always looking for ways to help out too (to get the door for someone, or carry something for someone, etc.)

"Caleb truly is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent," Grant spoke in his talk, as we all gathered to honor Caleb and to watch him get the Eagle Scout Award that he had earned.  I brought my camera to take a few pictures at the end.  It was an incredible night to honor an incredible kid!  The entire room was packed and many speeches were given about Caleb's character and about the Eagle Scout Honor, itself.

But the part that made me the most emotional, was a total surprise!  After Caleb pinned his Dad with the "Eagle Scout's Dad" pin and his Mom with the "Eagle Scout's Mom" pin, they handed him a pin that I had never even heard of... the "Eagle Scout's Mentor" pin.  They asked him who he wanted to award this pin to, and although there were plenty of people Caleb could've given it to, who have helped him a lot in his life and in scouting, without a moment of hesistation, he said, "Bro. D..."  I was taken back for a moment and then I began to cry!  I thought about how Grant got so close to his Eagle, only one rank away, and yet he did not earn it.  (He didn't quite have the support that he needed to get it.  And because of that, he told me that he was going to do all in his power to get any boys that he worked with to earn their Eagles, and he has!  He has worked really hard.)  And then I thought about how he doesn't have a son, and it made me cry even more because I realized what an honor Caleb had just given him!  Caleb is probably the closest thing we will ever have to a son, and he had probably just given Grant the only Eagle Scout pin he will ever own.  (When I thanked Caleb later, in tears, he gave me two huge hugs and told me that Grant was like a second Dad to him.  What a sweet thing to say!!)  I know that it will be a huge honor for Grant to wear it and to think of Caleb.

   

We feel truly honored to know Caleb and to have him as a part of our lives!  He makes all those around him better just by being who he is- we are all better for knowing him!

PS- Caleb gave us another fun privilege when he asked if we could come along and help him ask his friend, Katelyn, to prom.  He asked if I could take pictures for him and if Grant could be the music guy, blasting classical music from the car.  It was so fun to be there and be an "onlooker."  (Her Mom even cried... it was so adorable!  I mean, who wouldn't be honored to have their daughter asked to her senior prom this way??)  So here's the story, from a mere peasant's view...

The two handsome young lads were all ready and the two horses all saddled up...  Sir Caleb took jelly beans and gently threw them at the fair maiden's window... again... and again... and again...  She finally heard!  And came to the door, where she was greeted by Sir Zach.  However, upon seeing how incredibly beautiful the fair maiden was, Sir Zach decided to keep her for himself.  He walked her down the lit path and thought he was on his way to his happily ever after, until...

...He met up with Sir Caleb and there was no way Sir Caleb was giving her up without a fight!  So it began-- a dual for a prom date!!  There was a swing with a frying pan and a stab with the giant fork, and then...  

  

...Sir Caleb went down!!  [Oh no!  He's the good guy- it isn't suppose to be happening this way...]  Just as all seemed to be lost, the fair maiden stepped in and gave Sir Zach a swing with the frying pan!  At which time, Sir Zach said, "I quit... that wasn't in the script!"  (...which was when laughter errupted among the peasants!)  With Sir Caleb still suffering, and the fair maiden standing above him, he whispered, "There is only one way you can save me now... (dramatic pause)... will you go to Prom with me, Katelyn??"  (Another dramatic pause)...

Of course, she said, "Yes!!!"  How could she not fulfill a man's dying wish??  Upon doing so, he was miraculously cured!!  Then Sir Caleb wished Sir Zach well on finding his own Prom date and thanked the fair maiden for saving him.  Sir Caleb then hugged the fair maiden, cause that just needed to be done.  (Meanwhile, the lowly music man, Grant, got a few words from the next castle over for blasting classical music at 9:00 pm... not sure who gets mad about that, but Grant and I sure got a laugh out of that one.)  And whatever happened to Sir Caleb and the fair maiden, Katelyn??  Well, I'm sure they danced happily ever after!!!  ;)  THE END!