This block is dedicated to
Tanner Gail Cales

A lamb seems fitting for a baby born and lost seven years ago. Tanner came into the world two months early, defying warnings of small size and need of life support. Tanner was all of 5 pounds and 1 ounce and needed nothing other than time to learn to eat and to maintain a constant body temperature. What they didn't prepare us for was the extra genetic material Tanner would be born with - Down Syndrome. Tanner stayed in the neonatal intensive care unit for a month, where they found he did have a heart defect, which they deemed to be "insignificant." While we spent our days with Tanner, we attempted to learn all we could about his genetic defect. We rocked him, and fed him, and covered him with his blanket, and played him lullabies in his isolette.

After a month we brought him home to his 15-month-old sister, the Cocker Spaniel, and a loving and accepting community. We rocked him, fed him, swaddled him in his many blankets, and played him more lullabies. He stayed in our home for a few days before having difficulty, and for the next two months was in and out of the hospital where they told us his heart condition, coupled with pulmonary hypertension, was severe.

In December he sailed through his heart surgery, emitting hope he would be home in seven days. By the end of the week the good news was beginning to waiver. The biggest and constant setback was always fluid retention. This somewhat common occurrence continued until the things the doctors were seeing were not so common, and eventually none knew a diagnosis, let alone a cure. His anticipated seven to ten day stay turned into a six month stay and the PICU became his home. Facing pain and obstacles daily, he managed to develop and grow and charm his way into hundreds of people's lives. He endured procedure after procedure, some rarely done, in efforts to help him. Everyday his circle of friends became larger, endearing himself to the professionals and laypersons alike. We kept our vigil, and our routine gave us comfort. We rocked him and fed him and played him his lullabies and nurses changed his bedding with love, choosing favorite blankets that had been handmade by some anonymous person.

I wish I could share life experiences that would be typical of a baby boy, but Tanner's life was the hospital and his sickness. He died at the hospital at exactly eight months old, with his family and friends, one of his favorite blankets, and his lullabies.

An icon of courage, tenacity and strength, Tanner taught us as much about life as he did about death. For our family and all the people who helped us cope our gratitude is immeasurable. We are proud that Tanner's grandmother works for Hospice and can help others through their journey. As Tanner's blankets provided him comfort and peace, may this quilt always bring the same for you.

Tanner's Family