Today would have been Sam’s 10th birthday. My sweet Sam left this world in April and the pain feels like it was just yesterday. Still so raw. I held him in my arms and looked into his eyes – and promised I would be there for him until the end. In the words of A. A. Milne, “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” As I said that difficult goodbye I burst into tears and thanked him. I thanked Sam for the many gifts and the love he shared with me and so many others. A part of me died that day with him, but a part of Sam lives on in my heart.

I promised Sam a lifetime of adventures but what he gave to me and everyone he knew was so much more. He taught us about love, gratitude, kindness, curiosity, strength, and how to just be in the moment. I’d like to think he had a great life – and a full one. My life was definitely better because of him.