Following the launch of her new book, Flashing Lights at Night, at St. Andrew’s United Church in Brantford on Monday, December 23rd, author Ann McRae and Caleb Pate, the teenager at the heart of the story, spoke with BrantBlog.ca about the emotional evening, the writing process, and the journey that inspired the book.
The event, which featured a reading, book signing, and refreshments, attracted a supportive crowd of friends, family, and community members eager to hear more about Caleb’s miraculous recovery after being struck by a car in December 2022. Set just before Christmas, the accident left the then-11-year-old boy with a severe brain injury and in a coma—a moment that altered his family’s life forever.
For McRae, the night was about more than celebrating the book’s release. “It felt like coming full circle,” she said. “We’ve carried this story for nearly two years now, and sharing it with others tonight was incredibly moving. It’s a story of faith, recovery, and hope, and I think that resonated with everyone here.”
McRae, a retired lawyer turned author, has written both fiction and nonfiction, but Flashing Lights at Night may be her most personal project yet. Having been closely connected to Caleb’s family through her cousin, Bruce, McRae was present at the hospital during the early days of Caleb’s recovery. “My husband is a pastor, and we followed the ambulance to the hospital that night,” she recalled. “We just wanted to be there—to support them and to pray. What followed over the next several weeks was nothing short of miraculous, and that’s what inspired me to write the book.”
The Pate family, originally from Saskatchewan, had been visiting relatives near Brantwood Farms in Brantford when the accident occurred. Caleb’s mother, Bettina Pate, described that night in vivid detail. “He was crossing Powerline Road when it happened. He was unconscious instantly, and we didn’t know if he would make it.”
While Caleb has no memory of the accident itself, his sister Eliza does. She was there when it happened and was the first to pull him off the road and call for help. “Eliza was incredible,” McRae said. “Her quick thinking and composure made a huge difference.”
At McMaster Children’s Hospital, doctors initially predicted a long road to recovery. “We were told six to twelve months of rehabilitation,” Bettina said. “But within two months, Caleb was back home. It stunned everyone.”
Caleb, now 13, smiled shyly when asked how he felt about the book. “It’s kind of cool,” he admitted. “I don’t remember much about what happened, but I know I’m lucky. And I know God helped me.”
For McRae, capturing Caleb’s journey in writing wasn’t just about the facts. It was about weaving together the moments of faith, family support, and medical expertise that shaped his recovery. “I interviewed doctors, nurses, and family members to make sure I got it right,” she explained. “I even spoke with Brooke Pate, a nurse and family member who was working at the hospital the night Caleb arrived. She gave me a lot of insight into the medical side of things.”
The book’s title, Flashing Lights at Night, reflects both the literal flashing lights of the ambulance that carried Caleb to the hospital and the metaphorical lights—moments of hope and progress—that marked his recovery. “It felt like watching Christmas lights turn back on one by one,” McRae said. “First his eyes opened, then his speech returned. It was awe-inspiring.”
For Bettina, the book is a testament to faith. “We had people praying for Caleb all over the world. And we had this sense of peace, even in the chaos. We believed he would recover, and the speed of his healing felt like a miracle.”
The Pates hope the book will offer inspiration and encouragement to others facing challenges. “We want people to meet the God who created our bodies to heal,” Bettina said. “The brain is an incredible thing. Watching Caleb recover reminded us of how fearfully and wonderfully made we are.”
As the evening wrapped up, Caleb chatted with guests and signed copies of the book alongside McRae. While the attention still feels new to him, he took it in stride. “I guess I’m kind of famous now,” he joked.
McRae, meanwhile, expressed gratitude for the support the book has received. “This is Caleb’s story, but it’s also a story about the power of community, faith, and resilience. I hope people come away from it feeling hopeful.”
Flashing Lights at Night is now available for purchase online and at select bookstores. For those who attended the launch, it was more than a celebration of a book—it was a reminder of the strength that carries us through life’s most difficult moments.
