Today is the day we ‘officially’ observe Sam’s passing. Just like birth, leaving is a process. Sam’s soul left his body on the 20th right after the accident, on the 21st he was declared brain dead and on the 22’nd his organs went to save four others.   I wear the reminder of this day on my left wrist  and look at it every day..

In my culture, it’s tradition to mark the day of death , the yahzeit, by keeping a candle burning all day..

We appreciate all the candles others lit for him today ..

I like to think that sam would have appreciated this version more .

Before i describe the day.. let me drop back to yesterday for a moment.. Yesterday started with a ‘sunbow’  (or sun dog).. a good omen..

Gabe and I marked the day by making a red bull toast as we drove back from New Hampshire. .. We always dump a little out for sam..   since we were moving .. we had to do it via the sunroof..

Last night I ,marked the night by going to see Dark Start Orchestra at higher ground. Wouldn’t you know, they were doing a bone marrow donation screening..  a perfect parallel

 

The concert got out around 1:30 am.. which was perfect because Max’s bus showed up around 1:45 down town. By the time we got home. ate . hugged, drank, etc, it was 3:30.AM..    so morning came late.. Diane was p and had the Sam candles lit.

 

breakfast meant breaking out the hotsauce collection.

Before we new it, it was time to head to bolton.. we gathered at the base.. by the time we left we had more than 40 folks. it was a beautiful , warm and windless day.. a prefect day to walk with sam up the mountain.

By the time we got to the top for the picture we had more than 50 folks.. wonderful that 6 years later Sam  still has so many friends.

our tradition is that gabe. max and I climb the shaky fire tower, drink a red bull and blow something up.. we did that today.. it was beautiful up there sorry I didn’t get a picture of the explosion .. but we were standing right next to a large mortar.. i was cowering with fear rather than taking the  picture 🙂    .

we got home around 4 .. and folks started showing up for dinner.. by 5 the house was full of  love..

 

Pucket came by with his son Sam.. such a cutie.

 

James at 2 and a half was the second youngest.

Gabe poured the red bull toast…

A full day full of love . laughs, tears and stories.. As I said to folks today at the toast.. I was so sorry they had to be there.. and so glad at teh same time..

 

good night everyone…

 

good night sam..hope you felt the love today !

-me