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February Update
By Margot | February 6, 2012
Neil and the Boys with our mini snowman
Grandpa, me and boys with the snowman
Boys getting ready to go
Neil and Sam on sledding trip
I’m long overdue an update. Sorry about that. We spent Christmas in New Mexico and it was one of the only places in the nation with lots of snow so that boys got to sled and ski and snowboard. They had a great time with the horses and dogs and lots and lots of space. January has been packed with soccer and basketball. Andy got to go to the State Cup tournament with his team at and we all spent his ninth birthday in Victorville, CA for soccer. He told Charlie, “Charlie, how can you not be excited about being in a hotel for State Cup? This is the fullfillment of my lifelong dream!” I thought that was funny since he only found out about State Cup last year. We went up for two weekends in a row. Not much in Victorville but strip malls and some very cold soccer fields but the kids had a blast and this weekend especially, they played out of their minds. We did a big party at the hotel with the whole team for his birthday and he loved it. His birthday continues because we still have to celebrate with his school buddies. He’s got a posse of girls who have gotten my cell number and call and giggle into the phone all time. His team lost in a tough one Saturday afternoon. It was single elimination this weekend so were home for the Superbowl. Andy cried after the Patriots lost and Charlie bopped in after playing outside with all of the kids at the party in his Brady jersey and asked where Andrew was with a big smile on his face. Only after he saw Andrew crying did he remember he was supposed to be upset so he started to cry. It was funny. We have to think Sam is smiling today in heaven because he was a Giants fan and an Eli fan. Somehow, he could always pick the right teams. Andy is very busy with student council. I watched him today lead the pledge of allegiance and announce the winners of the bubblegum blowing contest. He has no fear getting up in front of an audience. He loves it. Both he and Charlie won their groups in Friday’s sport’s day football throwing contest and Andy’s friend Jake won his class so they were all very happy. Charlie is still Ferris Buehler every now and then. Two weeks ago the boy sitting next to him threw up everywhere. Charlie gave me the whole play by play after school and as we were leaving the teacher warned me to be careful since Charlie might not be feeling well soon. I could see the little wheels turning in Charlie’s head and sure enough he woke up saying his tummy hurt and his head hurt. I was skeptical but sure if I sent him to school he would actually be sick and I’d feel terrible if he threw up everywhere. He was perfectly fine of course and had a great day playing at home. Despite the fact that he Ferris Buehlers as much as he can get away with, he’s doing very well in school. He has buddies that he plays soccer with at recess and he’s reading at the top of his class. He’s tearing it up on the basketball court this year and starts t-ball and spring soccer this week and next week.
Early January was tough for me. After powering through Christmas, I just seemed to hit a wall. It was the month Sam was diagnosed and the month we found out things had spread to his liver. Also Patrick Chance died this January. He and Sam met in the waiting room of CHOP and he was such a great kid. As I put the date next to his name on our website I realized that when I initially put names up of kids fighting NB, almost all of them were alive and now there are only 4 out of 35 and one them did not have NB but medullo. Horrifying.
I was glad that we had so many distractions later in the month. Andy will turn older than Sam ever was this year (in eight months) and that is such a strange concept. Charlie boy is learing to write letters in school and his teacher asked the class to write a friendly letter. Charlie asked if he could write his to someone who wasn’t alive and she said of course. Charlie’s letter read as follows (we framed it) “Dear Sam, You where a great brother i miss you so much you where the best brother ever. Love, Charlie”
We also got an email from Rachael McCausland who is giving soccer balls in Sam’s name to kids in Africa. Her email to us:
Dear Hutchison Family,
I wanted to write to let you know that because of Sam 45 soccer balls were just dropped off at the post office headed for kids in refugee camps in Dadaab, Kenya. I packaged each of the balls up with a pump and the pictures of Sam. I just wanted you to know that your boy is thought of often, and he is making a difference in the world. Thanks for sharing his strength.
Keeping your family in my prayers,
Rachel McCausland
Sam would get such a kick out of that. I first met Rachael at Max’s Run a couple of years ago where she came up to me and showed me pictures of kids in Africa holding soccer balls and a picture of Sam. I was so touched. Thank you Rachael.
There is also a team in our little PB rec league that is putting “Get in the Game” on their jerseys in honor of Sam. Their coach was one of his last basketball coaches. Something else he would really get a kick out of.
Neil is going to coach Charlie’s t-ball team and Andy’s first live pitch team this Spring so with that and work he will be busy I’ll assist as much as possible.
My brother was in town from Australia for a trade show in New York. He was able to come down and spend a weekend with all of us which was great and then last Friday I drove up to LA and he and I saw a play based on Aunt Molly. Kathleen Turner played Molly and we got to meet her and talk to her after the show. It was a lot of fun and great to spend some time with my brother.
That’s about it for our update. Will try to update more often.
Margot
Topics: Progress Reports | 9 Comments »
February 6th, 2012 at 11:23 pm
Yea!! So glad for an update & pictures. Miss you guys. Tell everyone hi from me! Love you tons. Think of you so much.
February 7th, 2012 at 2:06 am
You moved me from laughter to tears in just a few paragraphs….life compressed. All your sons are quite amazing human beings.
I have watched that sad blogroll on the side for a long time.I think heaven doesn’t need so many little angels. Heaven can wait.
Thinking of all of you – and glad that NM came through with snow. Jan
February 7th, 2012 at 7:14 pm
Always touched to read your posting. My heart aches for all that your family has been through. I can only imagine how hard it is, but I admire your strength in moving forward with your lives. Andy and Charlie are strong little dudes, just like Sam!
February 8th, 2012 at 2:54 am
Hi Margot!
SO happy to hear about the family and see the cute photos! Love the mini snowman……. we haven’t been able to make one yet this year…. the kids and Nick were disappointed to miss out on skiing over the holidays.
You all sound busy…. that’s the beauty of Charlie and Andy…. no time to sit still for too long! 😉
I’m sorry to read about all of the NB angels over the years…. just doesn’t seem right. Something we will never understand, but we can certainly look forward to an even more glorious heaven.
God’s blessings to you for an easier February….
love, Colleen
February 17th, 2012 at 4:03 am
Always love to see the mix of pics. None of your boys could be more handsome. Now it’s our turn to head off to snow, so we’re sorry to miss out on Belmont Park with you guys this weekend. We thought of Sam so much this week as Mack brought Valentine’s Day activity packages down to Rady’s for kiddos from his school, and Grant still holds dear the last Valentine that Sam made for him with a note. We will always, always have many Sam moments as will so many of us in the world. Too many parents and siblings lose their Valentines every day, or struggle to hold onto them through the suffering. The love you’ve shown your children every day is palpable, Valentine’s Day or not…Lotsa Love, Lisa
February 29th, 2012 at 5:45 pm
Totally on board with Andy and I was crying too! Good to hear/read about you all. Take care!
March 8th, 2012 at 2:46 pm
Subconsciously I am so aware of moving forward these last two years.
I keep Sam in my heart and return, again and again, to his fight.
Sam, tough as nails, you are missed and alive in our lives.
March 10th, 2012 at 1:36 am
As Sam’s angel anniversary approaches, know he is not forgotten. I think of Sam and Max everyday. Sam continues to be an inspiration.
March 12th, 2012 at 3:20 am
Thinking of you guys this month! Love, Angela