Sunday, June 28, 2009

Camping at El Capitan, Santa Barbara and Having Fun In Honor of Pablo

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This post is dedicated to Pablo Castelaz. Pablo was a six year old boy I came to learn about working at the Foundation at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Pablo's family keeps a beautiful blog about Pablo and their journey, as a family, through his childhood cancer. http://getwellpablo.blogspot.com (see my blog list "Pablog"). Though we never met Pablo, my family fell in love with him through the stories and pictures the Castelaz family posted on their blog. On Friday, while getting ready for our family camping trip, I learned that Pablo was going home from Children's Hospital for the last time, with only days to live. So, it was with a very heavy heart that I left for our trip.

I wanted to honor Pablo and his family and their tremendous struggle, by trying my very best all weekend, to stay in the moment with my family. I enjoyed my beautiful boys; their laughter and silliness; their energy and sense of adventure. I focused only on the positive and let my heart fill with gratitude for those moments.

We had a beautiful view of the ocean from our camping spot (we saw a whale!) and Sean even warmed up to the idea of actually camping on asphalt! I was in heaven……NO DIRT TO CONSTANTLY SWEEP UP!




We biked and hiked. We built sand castles and played cards. We spent quiet time together looking out on the ocean and just being with nature. We were silly together and Nathan even wanted to dress like a pirate.














We had a nice, relaxing and loving weekend. I was tremendously saddened to learn upon our return that Pablo had passed away. I can't imagine the pain a parent must go through to lose a child. It truly makes these moments of family fun and quality time together all the more potent and meaningful.

I know that I will never forget this little boy named Pablo, who I’d never met, but who has taught me so much about enjoying and loving my own spirited boys.

RIP Sweet Pablo!


The Pablove Foundation was formed in Pablo's honor, to help fight childhood cancer. The Pablove foundation will make an annual contribution to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. To read more about The Pablove Foundation or to make a donation please visit:

http://www.pablove.org/ (see my blog list)


Love, Lisa