Favorites!

Did you know that Sammy's-


Favorite Food was-Cheeseburger happy meal with a sprite to drink
Favorite Toys were-markers, plastic animals, small disney characters
Favorite Friends- His nephew Marcus and his brothers Vinnie and Donnie
Favorite School subject-math
Favorite Thing to do on vacation-Walt Disney World
Favorite Sport-Golf
Favorite Activity-bowling with Vinnie
Favorite Song to sing-You are my sunshine
Favorite restaurant-LaMex


Other things Sammy love to do were:
Dress up like his favorite Disney characters (Buzz, Captain Hook, PeterPan, Mickey Mouse etc.)
Serve Mass
Watch movies on his LapTop
Sing, Sing, Sing!!! ( just like Donnie)
Draw (just like Vinnie)
Take photographs (just like Rhiannon)
Pretend to be a priest and have Mass in front of the Fireplace
Act out plays that Donnie performed
Go to the zoo
Go to Chicago
Keep score for the guys at basketball
Stick his belly out and pretend to be just like his Grandpa G
Ride in the golf cart with Mike L
Order a hot dog at the halfway house



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

Some days when I think I am doing ok and even feel some happiness, I am overwhelmed with sadness and feeling like we lost Sammy yesterday not 2 years ago. Today when I was running errands it happened. Memories of the parent/child golf outing came flooding back when I saw another Sam walking home from school. (Don't get me wrong....the memories are wonderful and happy. Missing Sammy and wanting him back is just so all consuming.) Sam T and his dad were paired with Jake D and his dad, Sammy and Vince along with me and Marcus, the last time Sammy played in the Parent/Child outing at the Elks. The day was full of happy moments of laughter! Boys being boys (in a good way!) and a day full of sunshine and golf. I remember the boys helping each other line up putts and cheering when Sammy had a good shot! It wasn't about who might win that day and bring home the trophy, it was about boys hanging out on the golf course and having a good time! Those boys gave Sammy a day of joy and friendship. Thank you and God bless you boys!

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

Barney!

The K family is going to a concert this week and this refreshed my wonderful memories of the years we went to Barney concerts. You see, the Barney corporation always gave children with disabilities and their entire family free front sections tickets and meet and greets. It didn't matter if your child had been to 1 or 10 precious concerts! Of course, any price would have been worth the huge smiles and hugs Sammy gave when he saw Barney! One Barney memory sticks out. One year we took the boys to Universal Studio's in Florida. I didn't realize that Barney was there. Sammy spotted the Big Beautiful Purple Guy on the outside of his building. So, we stood in line. It didn't matter how long until the next concert.....Sammy was not budging until he was let inside. Without asking, someone approached us and said they had a special place for us to sit. We got to go in first! If you know Sammy, you will remember in his excitement, he would often stiffened up and make an adorable sound. There, in the concert area, was kind of a T area in the middle of the seats that was used for Barney and his gang. They settled us right there, front and center. Sammy loved the concert and many times Barney and his "buddies" would look at Sammy and motion to him. When the concert was over we were almost to the outer door, when someone came up to Sammy and said. "Barney would love to meet you if that is ok." Oh did I mention Sammy invited his big brothers to join us? Yes, they graciously waited to ride all the rollar coasters until after the concert! Soooooo, Sammy, Vinnie, Donnie, me and dad and we can't forget Grandma G all waited for a private meeting with Barney. It was amazing! At Universal, Barney speaks to you!! Yeah and he mentioned Sammy by name!! It was awesome to see Sammy so happy!! Sure we wouldn't pick Barney to put on our Ipod but at that moment I would have listened to anything Barney sang! He not only won the heart of my little boy but he also won my heart that day!! So if you find yourself annoyed with one more "I love you, You love me.......", remember how big the Barney corporation's heart is!!

It doesn't get any easier. You just get better at it. God is good!

Smokie Mountain High!

On our recent trip home from Florida, Vince and I stopped by to visit with our Tennessee friends. It was so good to sit and visit and tell stories about our fun times. Many included stories of Sammy and everyone was comfortable talking about him with us. It was such good "therapy"! One story Jimmy was telling was the time we were all outside in the back yard and "WHERE WAS SAM?" happened yet again! He remembered me being very upset with Sammy. Somehow I only have memories of a very patient calm mom! We were all yelling Sammy's name and searching the back yard. It backed up to a river and many areas that could mean danger for Sammy. I think about 3 acres of trees and river. Once again Sammy didn't answer. Panic was very near for all of us.....Pam, myself, Jimmy, Bekah, and Abby. Abby, not so much panic, as she was very young! Pretty soon Jimmy yells out.....FOUND HIM! He was just a few yards away on the other side of the barbed wire fence, in the neighbors yard, sitting quietly with a sweet smile on his face!! Hugs all around!! The fun part was just afterwards when we were all in the house "celebrating" having found Sammy. The girls, Bekah and Abby, were playing with Sammy. Bekah always gathered Sammy into her room or the family room and just played! It was always as if they were playmates on a daily basis, even though we only saw each other maybe once a year at most. Bekah and Abby always saw Sammy as just a little boy who was fun to play with. During our recent visit Bekah, who is soon to be 16, explained to me that she has chosen to go into nursing and wants to work with children like Sammy. What an honor to think Bekah made a difference in Sammy's life and Sammy made a difference in hers. God Bless you Bekah!

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