Today is the day we mark Sam’s organ donation. It was the hardest and easiest decision we ever had to make. When we knew that Sam’s body wouldn’t survive, we new we wanted Sam’s strong organs to help others live. We knew that Sam would wanted it too.
Sam’s organs helped 4 people live.
This day 16 years ago, We learned about the amazing process of organ donation. It showed us how one family’s tragedy could be other family’s miracle.
We also learned that one of the most important enablers of organ donation was the consent of the family. And one of the most important part of that is knowing what the donor would want.
Please honor Sam’s memory by talking to your family about organ donation ..
Today was Sam’s Yahrzeit.. the day we mark that he died. We spent the day with him as the transplant team went. to work finding out how Sam’s strong organs could help others live. Diane and I slept in the hospital room.. what little we slept… and talked to Sam. It was clear to us that he was there.. but not in his body.
16 years later I still cant believe that day. It was an unreal time.
I have spoken to Sam in that same way every day in the past 16 years . Today I spoke to him from one of his favorite places, Bolton. Diane and I took a long hike up to Butler’s lodge then cut over Heavenly Highway and the to Wilderness lift and down the mountain. It was freezing cold with high wind.. the weather Sam loved.
As is my custom, I lit a candle for Sam and let it burn all day.. I used one of the Lanterns that the Haunted Forest folks made for us in Sam’s memory.. I walked around the house looking at pictures of Sam. What a beautiful kid.
16 years ago tonight we got the call that Sam had been in an accident. His time on this world ended.. and ours changed forever. I was just listening to the last phone message he left for us.
His last words to us were “love you … bye”..
We still love you Sam.. so very much. You are still woven into our lives. We think of you all the time.
Today a bunch of us hiked up Bolton in your memory.. just like we do on your birthday. it’s the 32nd time we’ve done it. It was freezing today.. The windchill at the fire tower was 8 degrees and the snow was drifting. There were a few places where it was knee deep or more.. You would have thought it was funny.. We toasted you at the ski patrol hut.. then climbed the fire tower.. we couldn’t stay long up there because of the cold.. but you would have liked it !
We spent the night down in Pelham NH with Elizabeth and the kids . Last nights Wizard of Oz was so fun !. Today we checked out Masons Basketball game before heading back to VT. We got back in time for a snowy hike up to Duxbury window. Nice to be home.
The next 3 days starts the time we mark Sam’s passing.. Never know how I’m going to feel.
