please pray for Caleb Potter, updated 7/12

A storm blew in on Wednesday night,
while we were playing with sparklers in the driveway.
Smoke everywhere, the popping sounds of something call Pyrotechnic Pete, which Middle had chosen, the crushed clam shell surface was awash with excited children and dads.
We dined on grilled burgers and blue cheese and bacon over iceberg lettuce with corn on the cob.
And outside, all the while, the wind puffed in gusts.

In the morning, after a night of rain and cold, we walked for our coffees.
The internet was down - a cable out, and there was a hand-scrawled sign on the door of the cafe.
Please pray for Caleb Potter it read.
When we got inside, I asked the lady at the counter...
Can you tell me what happened to Caleb Potter? I'll say a prayer for him, I said.
He was hit by a truck the evening before, she told me, on one of the busier town roads.
He was skateboarding.
The medivac helicopter was not available and so he was driven by ambulance down to Hyannis.
A long way.
He had emergency brain surgery.
As the mother of skaters, I wonder if he wore a helmet. He is 25.
As a mother I cannot imagine his family's anguish.

On every shop door there is a hastily taped sign.
Please pray for Caleb Potter.
One cannot ignore the fact that the town feels different.
Young people are always at the town green, but today they have a sense of urgency about them.
There are some candles and a large sign has been placed on one of the benches.

And though I don't know him at all, I imagine he was one of the skaters I saw earlier in the week - forced to skate the roads as the skate park has been closed for renovation.
I can't get those signs out of my head -
I find myself thinking over and over of prayers for Caleb Potter.
And his mom.

For news of his condition from his family and friends please click here.