Samantha “Sam” Leslie Damron

8-19-98   9-8-2003

Sam was born August 19, 1998, and was with us only a little over five years. Someone might wonder how someone so young, who was  sick throughout her life, could have lives such a significant life--- but Sam did! She was a wonderful gift to her family and others. That’s the true miracle of Sam’s life--- although she appeared so helpless, yet in her neediness she gave so much to others around her--- and especially to Allison, Donna and Clair. In thinking about her life words stand out:

First is her JOY. Sam suffered most of her life from Cockayne Syndrome she had, but despite that she was a bundle of joy! As Donna said, even when she was sick she still smiled--- it was as if Jesus was holding her the whole time, and she knew it. Sam had an infectious smile that drew you to her—you couldn’t help but smile in return. She seldom was upset, although you could tell when she didn’t like something, like wearing clothes, or when you set her down, or during physical therapy, or eating. But when whe like something, she would smile and often laugh—like when playing with a balloon, or playing with the wrapping from a present, or taking a bath, or floating in the hot tub, or being hugged of going to school, or riding on the bus, or listening to music, or dancing with Mom or Grandma or Grandpa Samantha “Sam” Damron

The second word that comes to mind is TOUCH. Sam loved people, and wanted to touch everyone she met—That’s how she got to know you, especially as she gradually lost some of her senses, her sight and hearing. She loved the feel and smell of chapstick on her lips. She would playfully bit Clair’s nose, or stick her hand in Donna’s mouth to church and that would calm her down. She loved more than anything to be held by her loved ones, Allison, Donna and Clair. She didn’t like to nap unless she was being hugged tight by one of them. This past week when she went into the hospital she spent seven days in bed with IV’s, tubes. And so forth and couldn’t be held, but the last few days of her life she was able to be held by Mom, grandma, and Grandpa; and she calmed right down—I know she loved that. She died peacefully in her mother’s arms, felling that wonderful touch she loved so much.

Another word that comes to mind is MUSIC. We are having lots of music in this service, because Sam loved the sound and feel of music; she loved dancing to music. The nursery workers at church would bring her into the main service to hear the music, because she loved it so much. I picture Sam right now in heaven listening to the angels sing, dancing before the Lord, and for the first time in her life singing along.

You see, Sam was needy, but in her neediness she gave far more than she took. She blessed everyone’s life she came in contact with, including mine. She infused everything—a smile, a touch, wrapping paper, music—with extra significance. And as her family explained to me, caring for her was not a burden, it was a wonderful privilege. She even gave in death—she gave her heart as an organ donor to save someone else’s life, sho needed it. Sam truly was, and is “Our Little Angel.”

Samantha we called her Sam, Our Little Angel died in the early morning of 9-8-2003 in her mothers arms with Grandma and Grandpa close by. In the hospital Peds ICU after a week of trying to fight off a illness that finally caused her kidneys to shut down. We took her off everything but the resporater. The nurse Hilary had come in every hour from 5PM until 6AM Monday when her heart stopped beating, She was at peace through her short life, she taught us many thing. To appricate the small things, and let go of the things that used to seem so important, but really weren’t. To not take life for granted. She was a gift from God he gave us to take care of for a while. She never walked or crawled, or sat up by herself. Her sight and hearing failed, but through her smile and touch and sounds she made she expressed herself very well. She loved all people, but most of all her Mom, Grandma, and Grandpa. I think because she knew us so well and us her.