Emerson Daniel "MAC" Calderon

September 28, 2020

Emerson Daniel ‘MAC’ Calderon went to be with the Lord on Monday, September 28, 2020. Emerson made his grand entrance into this world on June 6, 2019 (weighing a whopping 8lbs 11oz, the largest of his siblings) to his devoted parents Elvin and Elizabeth Calderon. Soon after birth, Mac was found to have some medical perplexities. He was found to have leukemia and this turned his family’s world upside down. Little did everyone know that God had a plan for Emerson’s life and it would be used to bring glory to God. After his diagnosis his mother took to keeping a blog at https://macsbigadventureaml.blogspot.com then on to an Instagram account macs_bigadventure_aml to dedicate sharing his story to the world. She knew God was going to use Mac to tell people about the wonders of Jesus. Though his treatment initially ended with remission, soon after he relapsed and the prognosis was not so good. His parents were determined to give him a fighting chance. In the end Mac rocked through his chemo but those ‘bad cells’ (what big brother called it) just didn’t give up. In his last days, mom sat searching for some alternatives to help with the pain, daddy sang and danced with him, Ayeya sang and rocked him, and he played with his siblings and cousins. In the early morning when Jesus called Emerson home, his mommy pleaded with him to spare her son if that meant no pain, but her heart knew the pain of hurt and anguish that she saw in Mac’s eyes. Without a doubt and with peace in her heart, she asked that he be released into God’s arms. He took his last breath, looking at his mama and being prayed over. Emerson leaves behind his parents Elvin and Elizabeth Calderon; siblings Emmanuel and Emelia Calderon; grandparents, Rosa Sierra, Elvin Calderon, Pete and Marie Rose Goodly, and great grandmother, Eduvina Canales. Emerson is also survived by a host of aunts (Tias), uncles (tio) and cousins, along with other relatives and friends. Emerson was a brave fighter, with very crafty hands (¡que manitos!) and he loved to smile. Though many of us don’t quite understand the why in all of this, may I remind you of the story of the blind man that Jesus heals. As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Neither this man nor his parents sinned, said Jesus, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” Now many may say that he wasn’t healed. You would be right. Not here on Earth. But Emerson was when he took his final breath here on Earth in his mom’s arms and was received by Jesus. The blessings in his suffering are that many of you did get to see God’s hand at work in his life, and for that his family is grateful. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend a Funeral Service honoring the life of Emerson Calderon at Connect Church of Algiers, 1110 Kabel Drive New Orleans, LA 70131 on Saturday, October 3, 2020 at 10:00 am. Visitation will begin at 9:00 am – 10:00 am. Interment: Private. As mandated by the State of Louisiana due to the COVID-19 pandemic, attendance is limited. Everyone is required to adhere to all restrictions. You must wear a face mask at all times and practice social distancing. Arrangements entrusted to D.W. Rhodes Funeral Home, 1020 Virgil Street Gretna, LA 70053