seven  years ago tonight we received the call that Sam had been hit by a car… that moment and the seconds , minutes, hours and days  after that  call are burned into my heart in a way that I can’t describe. they’re part of my memory that I really cant go to even still, yet i can’t.. and will never… forget…    i would give anything in the world to be able to go to the day before … even the minute before, when I could have… (could have  what ? )

what i can go to in times like this is the other call from that day, a call that came earlier..  Sam called me that morning,   i didn’t get to pick up the phone, but i got his message on my voicemail…    I carried it around with me until i had to give up that phone… then I recorded it..  here it is

the last thing Sam said to me was that he loved me..  i can live with that… i have too

good night my beautiful son,  you are still so much in our hearts..

we love you

-me

Six years ago this evening our beautiful Son Sam was hit by a car as he crossed the street with two friends. The boys were all on vacation down in Florida having a great time. When he got on that plane to go down, we never imagined that we’d never see him alive again. My heart breaks when i think about it.. but my heart is full in knowing that that kid was so loving and was/is so  loved. . and he knew it.. he knew it everyday..

I will never forget the terrible call we got when we learned that Sam had been hit  The moments  after that are etched forever  in my mind.. I relive them almost daily .   but the call i like to remember is the one I received from Sam earlier that afternoon..  I saved the recording and listen to it all the time .He would have made that call about now. He  left me a message telling me how much fun he was having with his buddies.. and he told me he loved me… like he did every day..

The last six years have been so hard… i feel Sam’s presence everywhere and his absence deep in my heart. There are times when its still overwhelming ..  there are also times now when life seems almost normal. We laugh, we have fun and we have much love in our lives.. At the time, i would never have believed that possible. I think it has only been possible because of the love and support we’ve gotten from family and friends..   For that we are forever thankful

Tomorrow . the 21st. we will mark the official day of Sam’s passing . That’s the day he was declared dead which cleared the way for his organ donation on the 22nd. In leaving, Sam helped 4 others live on.

We will mark tomorrow with a climb up Bolton Mountain . Mete us at 1PM at the base lodge if you’d like to join us. We’ll then all go back to our house for a lasagna pot luck (Sam loved lasagna), stories, music and samstones.

Ok Sam.. it’s another year..  you are forever in hearts and near us always. We love you very much my son ..

-dad