Heatherly Photography

My Grandpa Sam was one of my most favorite people! I remember how he used to love coming over to our house Christmas morning to watch me and my brother open presents. He once took me and my cousin Scott on a long bike ride down the riverbed all the way down to the Queen Mary in Long Beach. When he babysat my brother and I one weekend, he told us, "rules were made to be broken", and let us eat in our rooms, and play Nintendo the entire time. You could often find him playing the latest and greatest gaming system, and he was usually the first one to beat the games! He took me fishing off the seal beach pier, and made me put my own worms on the hook... gross! He came to our baseball, basketball games, or swim meets. He used to come watch me when I was in Tall Flags, and the first time he came, I accidentally hit my team mate in the head with my flag, and my grandpa NEVER let me forget that! He loved his family, and he loved everyone of us to come over for bbq's and holidays every chance he got. His favorite holiday was 4th of July, he would make his own fireworks, and even passed the love on to all of his grandsons. He was a big prankster and BSer. He was funny. He was tall. He was strong. He loved to golf. He loved his job working at the car auction. He loved to ride his bike. He loved people. He loved life!

I think that he had a special relationship with each and every one of his children and grandchildren. We all loved him, each in a different way, for a different reason. Everyone who met Grandpa Sam had that same sort of relationship with him. We all know him in a different way. Which makes each relationship unique.

One afternoon in the year 2004 we were visiting with my grandpa and he was complaining to my mom about his shoulder and neck hurting as he had a pinched nerve. He said he needed to go to the doctor because of a bad cough he had and my mom told him to mention the pinched nerve. Later that week we got a call from my aunt that the doctors thought he had lung cancer. I remember waiting for my mom to come home to tell her about the call. I felt sick. I felt dark. I felt the same way I felt the day the Twin Towers were hit. I felt as if a tower in my life had been hit.

We visited him in the hosptial and he looked like my strong grandpa. He was positive and he said "we'll beat it" we all knew he would because he was such a strong man so full of life. He fought hard for 21 months, and on March 30, 2006 the cancer won the battle. I think of him often. I dream of him often. I like to think that is how he visits me, in my dreams. I like to think that he is always around, playing practical jokes on us. I miss him. I wish I knew him now, I wish he knew the me I am today. I wish he knew my daughter, and all of his other great grandkids.

A few years ago, my mom started walking in the lung cancer walk that was started by Lungevity. Last year I walked with her, and I was deeply moved. It was a small event, but you could see the passion and importance and people were there for a reason. I didn't raise any funds last year, I only paid my registration fee and walked. This year, I decided that I would do more. I set a goal, and I decided to ask people I knew, and people that I don't know to walk with me, or give a donation. I don't know many of you that read my blog, but I know that you must be great people (since you read such a great blog!) and I am asking for help and support with this walk. Think of it as sacrificing your daily coffee just one day, and donating that coffee to lung cancer research. Even if you can't donate, because I know as well as any that times are tough, I would appreciate it if you would check out my page, and check out Lungevity and maybe there will be an event near you that you can participate in. I really appreciate any and all support!! Thanks so much! :)

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