The funeral home where he lay in handsome, peaceful slumber Wednesday night was one of the saddest places we've ever been.
A thrown baseball had hit the 11-year-old in the heart while it was beating. That heartbeat was stopped too long for him ever to overcome the loss of oxygen. Thirteen days later, his life on earth was over.
The bad in all of this is obvious. A boy has lost his life. A family has lost its son, grandson, nephew, cousin, and brother. Lots of kids lost a close friend. They also had to do a lot of growing up sooner than we would have wished for them.
At least for a while, some of the fun has been taken away from youth league sports. A cloud will hang over the games.
Some parents will watch practices and games in a constant state of apprehension. Most likely, at least a few will decide not to let their children play sports. In fact, some youngsters may reach that decision themselves.
Among the negatives is the way the boy who threw the ball has been treated by some of his classmates. There's no punishment sufficient to undo the hurt they have caused.
Yet throughout all of this, some good has arisen.
Certainly all of us who are associated with sports practices are going to pay more attention to safety. Those involved in baseball in particular will be especially watchful and, if they err, it will be on the side of safety.
We've learned once again not to take life and loved ones for granted, to cherish every moment with those we love and appreciate.
We've seen how a family handles adversity with grace and class. Throughout all of this, their deep Christian faith has been a living testimonial that we all can build upon.
They donated Caleb's organs so that he could help others live. That has to be tough for parents, but it is indeed a good thing. And it's another wonderful example the Slatons have set.
As a result of this tragedy, we've become closer as a community. No event in our memory has so universally brought all of Logan County together. The first question most of us asked each other during those two weeks: "Have you heard anything new about Caleb?"
The newspaper office has had more calls about this than anything else we can remember in years.
And we've been reminded of the importance of prayer, individually and collectively. Our most fervent prayer wasn't answered in the fashion we desired. Many of our other prayers were answered.
Caleb apparently didn't suffer. He never will again.
It's we who are left behind who hurt. Now our prayers can be to heal that hurt, to comfort friends and family, and that nothing like this happens again.
If it does, however, we'll be better prepared to handle it because Caleb Slaton and his family showed us the way.
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