COMING HOME

As I write this I’m sitting on a plane to Tampa and pinching myself that this moment is real. I’m sitting here reflecting on all we have been through and all we have learned. We learned so many lessons and I wish I could have learned all of them in a different way, but in the end I wouldn’t trade a thing. Starting with us, as a family, learning it’s ok to accept help from other people. When people offer help they really do mean it. There are some amazing people in this world, and this experience in some ways has restored our faith in humanity.

We learned that it takes a while for a place to feel like home but you have to hang in there, and eventually it does. We will miss the local BBQ joints, and our favorite donut place. It took a while for us to discover our favorite things, but Memphis did eventually feel like home. I wish I would have embraced it sooner, but it’s not such a bad place after all.

We trusted Tyler to a completely new school we knew nothing about. The teachers, staff, and parents embraced us and gave Tyler the best year we could have ever asked for.

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And St. Jude… I don’t know where to begin but it was worth every single second we spent away from home to have Caleb’s treatment there. From everyone who visits there, works there, or receives treatment there, you can’t help but be forever changed by the experience. We will never forget all we saw, experienced, and learned there. It will always feel like home and we will spend the rest of our lives giving back to the place that gave us Caleb.

And as a family, we have grown stronger because we had no choice. Tyler is the best big brother, and Caleb is the bravest kid I’ve ever met. We grew closer because during most weekends and downtime all we had was each other. And can we get a hallelujah for sharing 1 bathroom for 10 months and not killing each other!?!? ha ha!! But seriously though, I am NOT sad that that part of the experience is over. We are all ready to have our own space.

And even though we have said bye to Memphis, for now, I will never forget the things we have learned there. I look at my children in a different way, and in a way I could only know by almost losing one. Material things are nice but not important. We did without a lot while we were there and although we are blessed to be going home to a lot more space and luxuries it is comforting to know we don’t need them. All we need is each other, and may we never forget that.

I’m glad that most of this experience is behind us now. We don’t take anything for granted anymore. Life can change in an instant. We have learned to appreciate how special life is every single moment. Every day with each other is a gift and we can’t wait to make the most of it.

Hello Tampa! We are officially home!!!!

12 thoughts on “COMING HOME

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  1. Welcome home. Now try to relax and enjoy your time with your beautiful family. God is good.

  2. May God continue to bless your family. I have followed your blog religiously since you began. I’m a friend of your mom’s and I’ve been praying for all of you. I truly can’t imagine what you’ve been through and I admire that you made it because it had to be horrible at times. God bless you all. Suzanne

  3. Praise the lord. May peace surround you and hopefully one day your mind will be completely at peace. I’ve read every one of your blogs. So so happy for your special family. Enjoy your new home and welcome back to Florida. Enjoy every moment as I know you will. Your family has had such grace in this event and such maturity. Welcome home Grimsley’s 🙌🏼💪🏼👍🏼❣️🙏🏼🙋🏼‍♀️

  4. Christina, you have summed your experience in a wonderful way. You turned a terrible time into a positive time. Now enjoy your new home and have fun. Love you,guys.

  5. We are so happy for you guys, and in awe of that brave little one! Welcome home!

  6. We are so happy for you! God is good, always! Thank you for being vulnerable and brave. Your journey has made us all stronger.

  7. You are such a wonderful family and I am so glad you are finally home. I thank God for such a blessing that he has bestowed on all of you and also all of us that has followed your story. You have been an inspiration for me!

  8. I am beyond happy as I sit on your front porch and read your blog.. It has been a week since you arrived home.. We will forever remember this past year.. good times and bad.. I will never forget the devastating news about Caleb’s biopsy.. and you all driving away to the airport to go to St. Jude and basically give up everything to save Caleb’s life…We all felt sooo devastated.. but St. Jude saved our lil guy’s life and how do you even find the words for that.. especially after being told he wouldn’t probably make it to his 4th birthday.. Thank God for always being there right by our side.. Caleb is soooo many people’s hero.. he will forever be mine.. all of you Christina …….James …….. and big brother are all heroes to me! Love you all soooooooo much!!!!!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️Welcome Home!!!!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Love, Mom and Grandma❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️😇

  9. WHAT A MIRACLE! We want to meet your family. Sounds odd to say that because our hearts are so knitted with yours already, I’ll text you guys, but PLEASE let us know when you might be up for a visit to the Home2 Suites Brandon (or if it’s easier for us to come you). Thank you JESUS and the AMAZING team at St. Jude and your family and all of the unsung hero’s who are part of your life forever now. We rejoice and celebrate with you!

    Tasha Horton & Home2 Brandon/Tampa family

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