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Sammy – Happy 10th Birthday!
By Margot | July 13, 2010
Dear Sam,
Happy 10th Birthday Buddy! I know you would be so proud of those double digits. We miss you tremendously. Dad and I and Andrew and Charlie and your friends are going to celebrate you today. Your brothers and I just got back from vacation back in New Mexico and we thought of you every step of the way.   Every time I looked up into that bright blue New Mexico sky with those amazing clouds I thought about you.  Andrew and I jumped in and floated down the river rafting and I kept thinking of when you and I jumped in and it was so cold it took our breath away and we jumped right back in the boat. We stopped at echo canyon and yelled out “Sam we love you!” so it would echo up to heaven. I thought of you when Andrew caught a fish and he yelled  “Fish On!” just like the guy in River Monsters because I know you would have laughed with me.  I miss your laugh so much, buddy. I hope you laugh a lot in heaven today and I hope there is a mint chip ice-cream cake and soccer and laser tag.Â
Love, MomÂ
Dear Sammy –
I love you buddy. I love you with every ounce of energy in my body. I think of you all day and I know that you are ok, that you are in Heaven. I get a sense that you laugh at us alot at how upset and sad we are and that you want to tell us “that things are ok”. And I can see your incredible smile and laugh. And Mom is right – you would be SO PROUD of being double digits!!!
Today, it’s sunny. There is a beautiful blue sky for the first time all summer. No marine layer for you on your birthday!Â
Sam, we’re going to “rock it” on your birthday. We’re going to the park, playing some soccer, eating some ice cream, and we’ll hit the beach and catch a few waves.
I love you more than anything in the world buddy.
Your Dad.
PS – Sam – your buddy Joe sent you a birthday card. It said: “Sam was the most best friend a kid could wish for. Happy birthday Sam!”.Â
 Joe speaks for all of us.
Topics: Progress Reports | 36 Comments »
July 13th, 2010 at 3:16 pm
Happy Birthday, Sam!
May everyone take a moment today to honor you and your courageous life.
We miss you greatly,
Meredith, Ron, Luke, Ashlyn, and Katherine
July 13th, 2010 at 3:27 pm
Great post for Sam-the toughest kid to grace this earth!
Abby and I talked about Sammy this morning and she was glad that Sam can beat Andy in chess. Abby wants to beat Andy in chess so “I can be like Sam”
(At this point, Andy has nothing to worry about)
Yell as loud as you can so the soundwaves come booming into Heaven…
July 13th, 2010 at 5:14 pm
Happy Birthday Sam!!!! We were thinking of you today (& most days) & are with you in spirit celebrating.I know you must be psyched to hit the big 1-0!!!!!!’Hope the party you have in heaven is even better than the ones we have down here.
We’ll send a balloon up your way later today….
July 13th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
Sending love and hugs and prayers…..
jk
July 13th, 2010 at 5:30 pm
Happy Birthday Sam. Party on!
July 13th, 2010 at 5:59 pm
We’re sending our thoughts and prayers your way. Happy Birthday, Sam!
July 13th, 2010 at 6:22 pm
Happy Birthday Sam! Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
July 13th, 2010 at 6:30 pm
Dearest Sammy – you ran fast into Life – every day of your life was a beautiful day. The only time you were slow was when I took you to Von’s when you were 18 months and you explored every stick and stone along the way, as we walked both ways. If it weren’t for a hersey bar, we might still be discovering wonders.
You ran like a cheetah, following the light into Heaven. Keep watching us and smiling upon us. I love you so much – Gramdma Joan
July 13th, 2010 at 7:51 pm
Happy Happy Birthday Sweetest Sam!!!! I can just picture him and Syd partying today!!! She for sure is shaking her booty and singing to him!! She loved birthdays!!!
Wishing for peace and many smiles for you all today as you celebrate…
with love,
rhonda dudley
July 13th, 2010 at 8:10 pm
thinking of you and Sam and NM skies filled with balloons. Jan
July 13th, 2010 at 8:25 pm
Happy birthday Sam! Thank you for making me eat tacos today, they were very tasty and I thought about you a lot. I hope you can hear and see all the love coming up to you from terra firma. Do you know that you are also an honorary Mikulak? Hannah was also born on July 13. Nicky was born on Sept 13 and I was born on June 13 – so you can always claim to be a red-headed Polack if it helps in any way! Say hi to Max, Sydney, Ryan, Spencer, Penelope, Paul, Lucas, James, Erin, Eden B, Nathan, Eden A, Austin, Dustin, Christi, leader-of-the-pack Erik, and all the other perfect angels up in heaven.
July 13th, 2010 at 8:37 pm
Wishing Sam a happy heavenly birthday. Maybe Melina is singing happy birthday to him. In a few weeks he can sing to her. Thinking of you all…
Much love lisa
July 13th, 2010 at 8:58 pm
Sam – We woke up to sun this morning for the first time all summer, and Mack said it was surely for your birthday. We played a few hours of kickball and dodgeball today at the park with your brothers, parents, uncle, and some of your buddies. Everyone yelled “Sam, You Rock” and “Happy Birthday” as they let balloons float up to the sky. We knew it was the kind of morning you would love. Thanks for getting us all together today, and for reminding us of how sweet life is, and how important it is to keep getting in the game each day. We miss you. We love you. We celebrate you and your great spirit of competition. Love, The Bonebrakes
p.s. Uncle Matt scored an amazing homer in kickball, Andrew was the last one standing in dodgeball, Charlie ran the bases like a champ, your mom is a great pitcher, and your dad — he tried to get Mack out…but he couldn’t! You would have laughed!
July 13th, 2010 at 10:01 pm
Happy Birthday Sam!!!!
I am thinking so much about you today, like i do every day, and of your family of course. I am sending you, and all the little angels up there, lots of love.
Penelope’s mom
July 13th, 2010 at 10:52 pm
Sam, Heavenly happy 10th birthday! I’m so glad everyone got together in Kate Sessions park; and honored you today with lots of ball playing,games, running and ice cream cake! I had a taco for lunch today the best, I ever ate. It was so great having your Mom, Andy& Charlie, here in New Mexico for a week! We really had a great time but we missed you the most in everything we did from getting eggs from the chickens to the boys holding baby chicks one named “Speedy Sam” by Charlie in your honor; the boys riding the tractor & to the boys riding the horse in the field. I remember you, Sam, & Andy even riding horses on a trail in Chimayo when you were 8 years old! We missed you so much, Sam; and I’m so glad they had a birthday party for you! and sent up balloons! Love and Lots to the Hutchison clan in San Diego and Much Love to you Sam, up in Heaven! “Grandma Sara”
July 14th, 2010 at 2:32 am
Happy Birthday Sam. You are loved and missed.
July 14th, 2010 at 3:11 am
Happy Birthday Sam and to Sam’s loving family. We think of you all often and check in on you all the time as if checking your website will mean you are ok . . . if only it were that easy. I hope you caught some awesome waves, ate some great ice cream, and celebrated Sam with every fiber of your being. We are with you in friendship.
John and Sarah
July 14th, 2010 at 3:12 am
Oh I how love the idea of your celebration in Heaven. Max, Erik, Jenna, Erin, Penelope, Hazen, Austin, Janie, Lucas, Nick, Anna Meg, Isaac, Marissa, Grace, and countless others…..I picture they are celebrating with you Sam….if only we could know your joy.
July 14th, 2010 at 3:39 am
Dear Sam,
You don’t know me, but, I have read about you and your wonderful family. I am Nick’s Mom and I miss him so much, just like your Mom,Dad, and family miss you. I hope you have a Happy Birthday buddy.
When it was Max’s birthday, I told him to be on the lookout for my boy Nick. He likes to eat cake and I am sure he would love to celebrate with you. Just look for a real tall, skinny dude with a lot of hair sticking out like an Afro. Maybe you guys can help Nick celebrate his birthday on September 11th. I know he would love to have some kids with lots of energy and big smiles kickin’ it with him, chillin’ out, and having lots of fun. Take care Sam. Even people you don’t even know think of you and you make me smile. Nick’s Mom, big D 🙂
July 14th, 2010 at 3:47 am
Happy Birthday Sam! Thinking of you and your amazing family today…. We are in Maui and went down the Westin waterslide a few days ago and I thought of you as I remembered seeing pictures of you guys there a year or so ago…..:)
I heard that the sun finally came out in San Diego today…. I’m sure you had a little something to do with that!
I hope the celebration was rockin for you in heaven today!
Love from the MacDonalds
July 14th, 2010 at 4:02 am
Yuu rcck Sam- Happy Double digit Bday! Angela (Madison’s Mom)
July 14th, 2010 at 5:15 am
I found Sam’s page some time back from another site, who I found from yet another site. It breaks my heart to think of all of these beautiful children taken too soon, after such brave battles.
How I wish Sam’s parents had been able to get all of 9, and then all of 10 and much, much more. I do believe with all my heart, that as painful and seemingly endless as the wait may be here on Earth, there will come a day where they will hold Sam again, and this time have all of eternity.
Happy Birthday sweet Sam.
July 14th, 2010 at 6:30 am
I miss you buddy. I miss your giggle. I miss our video game battles. I miss our games of tag in the courtyard. I miss watching you share your knowledge with your younger brothers. I miss your sense of style (you always hated my choice of sneakers). And I miss the things you would share with me (such as why flamingos are pink).
But I know you see us — I just wish we could see you.
Love you, buddy. Uncle Matt + Roscoe (“the most terrible dog in the world,” as you would say.
July 14th, 2010 at 9:33 am
Happy Birthday Sammo!
Your Aussie relatives certainly thought of you today. Finnbar took a big picture of you to school for his show & tell. He told his class that today is his cousin Sam’s birthday and that he wants to remember you because you are the best cousin ever!
We all want to say a big “I love you Sammo!” We’re certain it was Choc chip waffles for breakfast, Brownies for lunch and tacos for dinner.
Wish we could have joined the fun at Kate Sessions to help celebrate – nobody here believes that Uncle Matt scored a home run in kickball…
Love Uncle Paul, Aunt Kaz, Marty, Anneli & Finnbar
July 14th, 2010 at 10:28 am
It is hard to believe that it is 10 years since Sam was born. We remember well because your Australian family was so excited. Sam did not have a long time here on earth, but he has made a huge impression on so many people all over the world. Finnbar’s uncle Paul is up there in heaven,too, and he will play footy with Sam. We know uncle Paul B will look after Sam.
Thinking of all of you. Love from Kari & Kevin In Australia
July 14th, 2010 at 11:20 am
Kari & Kevin tried to post but, for some reason, found they were unable to (might have something to do with the fact that they use Safari as their browser?).
In any case, the below is from Kari and Kevin:
“It is hard to believe that it is 10 years since Sam was born. We remember well because your Australian family was so excited. Sam did not have a long time here on earth, but he has made a huge impression on so many people all over the world. Finnbar’s uncle Paul is up there in heaven,too, and he will play footy with Sam. We know uncle Paul B will look after Sam.
Thinking of all of you. Love from Kari & Kevin In Australia”
July 14th, 2010 at 3:19 pm
Happy Birthday Sweet, Sweet, Sam-O! We miss you more than you can imagine.
We have a Hawk that hangs out on our trampoline. Natalie calls him Sammy, he hops around on the tramp every so often which is something we have never seen before. Usually Hawks don’t hang around so close to the ground. Anyway, every day he brings more friends over to our house to hang out on the Trampoline. Yesterday we had 5 Hawks. Natalie is absolutley convinced it’s you. 😉
We miss you so much that we see you in everything. Have a happy day. Keep watching over us. We need you now more than ever!
The Storch family~
July 14th, 2010 at 4:05 pm
Thought a lot about you all today….what a gift you, Sam, were and continue to be. Laughed remembering Margot tell the story of your speedy birth….never a dull moment. Happy Birthday.
July 14th, 2010 at 6:58 pm
I expected to read something thoughtful as usual, but this posting with Mom and Dad talking directly to Sam really, really touched me. The tears came. Sam is forever loved!
July 14th, 2010 at 11:19 pm
Sam,
I hope you had a great birthday and swooped in to hug and kiss your Mom and Dad while they were sleeping!
My Andrew could use some help stopping hockey pucks in a big game Thursday in the Czech Republic if you want to lend a hand and help out a goalie. He and Ian thought you were a great boy!
Meryl
July 15th, 2010 at 5:36 am
Happy Birthday Sam. It was so wonderful that the sun finally came out on your birthday. The weather has been so crummy and was so amazingly beautiful yesterday. I think you may have had something to do with the weather change… Anyway, I think of you and your family all of the time. You will never be forgotten.
July 16th, 2010 at 7:04 am
Sam, I thought you on your birthday and everyday I think of you and wonder if you know just how much you are loved.
July 21st, 2010 at 3:56 am
It gave me chills to read your words Mom and Dad. So touching.
July 26th, 2010 at 4:27 pm
and my eyes fill up with tears each time I read this post….
thinking of Sam and all of you……
xo, Colleen
July 26th, 2010 at 10:56 pm
Sam and Red and Andy and Charlie and Margot-
Coming in to Kate Sessions on Saturday-Sam be sure to coach Red and Andy and Charlie , me and Matt are going to take on your bros in touch football…
Missing you and thinking of you daily.
Tom
September 2nd, 2010 at 2:40 pm
[…] you can do something as simple as spreading the word to others to run on september 11th and donate.  just imagine, if this spread to 5,000 people and each person donated only $5.  together, we would raise $25,000.  you can donate via my blog post or via max’s dad’s blog post. please donate…they have $780 left to reach their goal of $2000.  and i hope you’ll be joining me for a one-mile run on september 11th, no matter where  you are.  if for any reason, you’re unsure, just take one minute to read this, or this or this. […]