I can see my house from here!

Oh my goodness. I was at K-Mart today and saw a friend as I was entering the store. Peter, you brought back a memory!! During Vinnie's high school years he played baseball all four years. I can't remember exactly which year it was or the town. We were watching one of Vinnie's games and as often happened Sammy was MIA. Usually that meant he was walking toward a concession stand. After what seemed like a very long time someone happened to look up and there he was. He had climbed on the outside of the football stadium press box. Yes I said outside of it. There were no railing on the sides or back and only a maintance ladder going up the side. With my heart in my throat I watched Vince slowly and carefully get himself to the top so he could bring Sammy down. After Vince was able to get Sammy down and I gave him a big hug, it was so hard not to smile and even chuckle at how proud he was of himself. I can't tell you who won that day or even if Vinnie got a hit but I can tell you for sure that many parents can still tell you who climbed the ladder up to the top of the press box that day.

It doesn't get easier, you just get better at it. God is good.

My buddy Vinnie

This is not one memory but several warm fuzzy ones about an amazing older brother. All of Sammy's siblings had special relationships but today I am remembering the one between Vinnie and Sammy. Sammy adored Vinnie. Vinnie adored Sammy. Vinnie always took time to play, sing, watch tv or just hang with Sammy. One of the things Sammy loved to do with Vinnie was go bowling. I don't have any memories of the bowling because it was always a special time that was just for Vinnie and Sammy. I do however have memories of the excitement in the house when Vinnie would say, "Lets go bowling, Sammy!" Boy Sammy would light up and start singing. No song that any of you would know but it would always contain the word VINNIE. We would lovingly call them our Vinnie songs. Each one was different but the same. I remember taking Sammy to see Vinnie in Chicago and Vinnie taking Sammy's hand and going for walks along the lake or through the zoo or just down the street to the grocery store. Vinnie became an amazing brother the day Sammy was born and I am so proud of the big brother Vinnie continued to be for all of Sammy's time here on earth.

It doesn't get easier, we just get better at it. God is good.

Spa Phone

On one of our vacations all four of my children were with me at Clearwater Beach. We were enjoying the beach and pool and the weather was perfect. Vinnie and Donnie were Jr. High age and there were so many cute older girls there. The boys, although I am sure they would have preferred to be alone, included Sammy when they were hanging with the girls. One particular time the boys joined the girls in the hot tub. Sammy wasn't able to get in because of his heart but was hanging close to the edge. Rhiannon and I were in the hotel room a few feet away with a napping Marcus. There was a squeal, an "OH NO" ! Sammy must have felt left out. He reached over to one of the girls cell phones, tossed it in the hot tub, and smiled. Luckily Vinnie reacted with speed and precision, grabbed the phone, gave a shake, and wrapped it in a towel. The phone survived and Sammy gave "sorry" hugs all around!! All was forgiven!

One of my friends prompted this memory when her little one washed her phone in the toliet so her picture with Sammy gets the honor this time!

It doesn't get any easier, you just get better at it. God is good.