Baby Caleb

When I was growing up, my mom would always tell me, "You are NOT allowed to die before me. It isn't right for a parent to out live their child." 

This past week the words of mom came back to me as a family member I love was faced with the tragedy of losing her baby Caleb only 2 days after he was born. My cousin, Jeanette and her husband, Sam Cordova, two of the sweetest people you will ever meet, gave birth to their 3rd child on Oct 17th. On Oct 19th Caleb passed away to an Aeortic Stenosis. The news of Caleb's death sent shock waves through our family and friends.

As a relatively new mom myself, all that kept ringing through my ears were my mom's words. And I could not even fathom the pain that Jeanette, Sam and their two sweet little boys were feeling.

Amy and I heard that they had planned a funeral in Las Cruces, NM. With the generous support of our husbands, we made plans to fly out to El Paso in the morning and fly back home that night. We both knew we needed to be there and we were so glad to have the opportunity to do so. (Jeanette is the daughter of my Aunt Susan, who was my mom's sister.)

I have the utmost respect for Jeanette and Sam. They, with the help of their families, were able to plan the most touching and memorable service to memorialize their sweet baby. An experience I will never forget.

They passed out these sweet cards, the above picture collage. They also blew up about 75 balloons that were all the colors of the rainbow. All of the balloons had a blank card so you could write a message to Caleb. When it was time for all of us to release our balloons, they played the song "Somewhere over the Rainbow." What an amazing way for the two big brothers to say good-bye.

Please pray for this amazing family as they grieve this unimaginable loss.


His obituary:
Caleb Samuel Cordova, infant son of Samuel and Jeanette Cordova of Las Cruces, entered the gates of Heaven on Oct. 19, 2012, just two days after his birth at Memorial Medical Center, surrounded by his loving family. During his short stay here on Earth, Caleb touched many lives and was deeply loved by family and friends. His precious life was a brief gift to us that will forever live on in our hearts. Those left to mourn his passing along with his parents, include his two brothers, Jaden and Elijah Cordova; grandparents, Susan and Wayne Cash, and grandmother Dina Marcus of El Paso; great-grandmother, Rosemary O'Brien of Las Cruces; aunt Angela and husband Beto Lopez and cousin Aubrey; aunt Melissa and husband Jeremy Cash and cousin Landon; and uncle Bengy Cordova and cousins Mia, Ben, and Margaret, all of El Paso. Caleb was preceded in death by his grandfather, "Papa" Sam Cordova and great-grandfather "G-Pop" Norman O'Brien. A graveside memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012 at Masonic Cemetery, 760 S. Compress Road in Las Cruces, with Pastor Rebecca Whitaker officiating.
"Most people only dream of Angels...we held one in our arms."
Donations in Caleb's memory can be made to the Ronald McDonald House Charities at http://rmhc.org.
Service arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels, 300 E. Boutz Road, Las Cruces. 527-2222.Published in Las Cruces Sun-News on October 24, 2012