I am deeply proud of my son as he begins his summer job

Since my youngest son, Caeleb, arrived home from a successful second year of college, he has been interning at the church where I serve as pastor. His main job is to shred countless old documents, so I’ve nicknamed him “Shred Boy.” So far, he enjoys working and does a good job. His tasks keep him off his feet, which is helpful given the pain in his right knee and ankle.

My son was born with hemophilia, and after experiencing frequent internal bleeding episodes as a child, he now lives with chronic pain. Although Caeleb, now 20, hasn’t suffered any bleeding issues since he was 8, he still faces the repercussions.

Due to the constant bombardment on his joints, my son has very little, if any, cartilage in his right knee and ankle. He can walk short distances but cannot spend too much time on his feet. When he does, the pain becomes unbearable.

Despite the complications my mighty son experiences, he is determined not to give in to the pain or withdraw from life. At school, Caeleb rediscovered how much he loves to ride a bike. He lives on campus and rides his bike to class. He loves being out in the open air and getting exercise. When his pain overwhelms him, he has an electric wheelchair to get him where he needs to be.

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Joy and gratitude

It is with a spirit of optimism that my son joins me for the drive to church. We have a good time laughing and talking about what lies ahead for the day, what we hope to do for lunch, and anything else that captures our attention. I cherish these moments and find that my attitude when I walk into the office is brighter now that I have a new passenger.

Perhaps the reason the ride is so magical to me is that, in the confines of the 10-minute drive, time seems to stand still. There may be a brief mention of hemophilia, but it does not dominate our conversations. I get to hear my son share his hopes and dreams for his future. He tells me about his experiences living on his own for the first time, saying, “Dad, I really like living in the dorm, but I enjoy sleeping in my own bed when I come home.”

I tell him that I am very proud of him and am glad that he had a successful year. I ask him, “How does it feel to have achieved your academic goals this year?”

He responds, “Dad, it feels so good to know that I not only had a great experience living on my own, but that I made sure I finished all my assignments on time. I never thought that would happen.”

I assure him I’ve never doubted what he can do when he puts his mind to good use.

We arrive at the church and get out of the car. Caeleb looks at me with a mischievous grin and asks, “Since we are at church, can I call you Pastor Joe?”

“Not if you want to live,” I reply. We start laughing, and I remind him, “I don’t care what anyone else calls me, but you need to remember that the most important role I have is being your dad.”

Caeleb and I go into the building. He reports to his supervisor, and I go to my office. I am grateful that he still enjoys spending time with his parents, and watching him continue his journey toward living a full life brings me joy. Sometimes I’m overwhelmed by his endurance as he teaches me to be a better person. This summer promises to be a great one.

Hemophilia puts obstacles in my son’s way, but he refuses to give up, discovering ways to live with the complications and finding his path, even when times get tough. Caeleb is one of my greatest heroes. I feel honored to be his dad.

Note: Hemophilia News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or another qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Hemophilia News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to hemophilia.