Find joy in the simplest of things.
Sam loved action (I wonder where he got that from). He would squeal and giggle while running through the house when we would play Karen's version of tag known as “I'm gonna getcha!” The payoff was being showered with hugs and kisses once caught. Or if he was upstairs with Will he found great joy tossing toys over the safety gate and down the stairs. We'd hear “skubida, boom, boom, boom, crash... hee hee hee” often followed by an amused big brother say unconvincingly “Nooo Sam Sam!” which only made Sam laugh harder. A happier child I don't think I've ever known.
Never miss an opportunity for adventure.
Sam liked to explore the world so much we should have named him Columbus. At the “Little Gym” when other kids were lining up for the next exercise, Sam would wander off and be found checking out a piece of equipment, closely studying it like some sort of engineer. Sure, tumbling was fun, but a load bearing concentric cam, now that was cool!
At home, if he had an opportunity to do so, he would jet out the front door and head for the playground, which would've been fine if he bothered to take us along, but a parent's concern is just about the last thing on a two year old's mind. Besides, it's more fun to try and sneak out anyway. Once at the playground, if big brother could do it, then by golly Sam could too. His favorite thing was the swing, followed by the slide, the see saw, the climbing block, a big rock over here, a tree over there, then maybe a quick cruise through the yard to go check out Daddy's truck. He was all boy. Sam's world was a sampler platter, with everything deserving at least 5 seconds of his attention.
When we'd come home in the van and let him out, he didn't want to go right in; no, he would sprint across the cul-de-sac with Daddy and Will in tow, to go check out our neighbor Bob's basketball goal (never mind he was 8 feet short of the rim and didn't bring a ball). To Sam, that goal was the most interesting thing on the block.
If the inside gate at the bottom of the steps was left unlocked, Sam was up the stairs faster than you could say “Honey, where's Sam?” If he heard Karen coming for him he'd wait about three steps up, looking back with a sheepish grin, body positioned for a futile attempt at escape. I'd hear Karen say “Sam Furman, now what do you think you're doing?” followed by a giggle from Sam, then a “no, no, no!” as he tried to make a run for it, laughing and shrieking happily as he was caught and given a minimum of half a dozen kisses.
Love everyone unconditionally.
Sam loved everyone. He had an unbridled enthusiasm and joy when he would see us, running up for a big hug like we were some sort of lucky winners of an unconditional love lottery, which of course we were. He would give that big hug with a comical “ohhh”, a term of affection that he picked up from Karen's doting. He would then look at us smiling and announce to everyone in the house: “Daddy, Nonny (Sam's version of Mommy) and Wee-ull.” “You mean Will?” “Wee-ull!” “O.k.!” We all found it so amusing that his big brother's name was said with such an inexplicable southern drawl. After this he would hop down and scamper off to find Will just as fast as he could. This happened about 400 times a day and it never got old.
Sam even loved our cat, Kibu known by friends and family by many other names, most of which can't be said in a church. He would chase her around the house joyously saying “Hi Kibu Cat, meow meow” and she would do her best to get away.
Always have a thirst for knowledge.
Sam was so active early on that I used to say “Will's our rocket scientist and Sam's our explorer.” But despite his need for action he absolutely loved books. We had a stack of books next to the bed and if the house was quiet, we knew Sam was reading. People asked me what his favorite toy was and I couldn't name one, because while toys were fun, books were better. It would appear we had two rocket scientists in the family, the intelligence coming from Karen's DNA I have no doubt. Sam had a curiosity that exceeded his years. We should all look at the world with such a need to know and understand.
So look at us all...here today...to celebrate Sam's life and mourn our loss...
We've been blessed by an incredible amount of love and support from our dear friends and family, though a friend informed me we have no friends, just one big family.
Love is what has brought us together...and love is what will get us through this time of great sorrow.
People ask us what they can do for us, trying to ease our pain, though we know it's not ours alone. Here's our answer to the question: Let us honor Sam's life and his unbelievable heart by doing our best to live the way he did. Find joy in the simple things. Relish the chance to take on new challenges and adventures. Always seek to know and understand the world around us. Love everyone, forgive instantly, and when in doubt, know that a big smile followed by hugs and kisses can make just about anything better.
Sam's life and love was a gift to us all, and though we've complained to management about how brief our time with him was, we thank God for sending us our boy and HIS love will be ours forever.
Thank You.
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