SAM'S COURAGE



Sam and Grandma were walking in the park and two photographers asked for permission to take pictures of the little guy. Grandma was somewhat surprised since Sam was sick with a virus, and wasn't at his best. Their other photos are here (sardonic sam) and here (love those flowers).

We didn't know just how sick he was. That night he had some trouble sleeping, and breathing. After trying everything Mom and Dad took him into the hospital. By that point he was really having trouble. It was clear that he was having a bad allergic reaction. They gave him some treatments and kept him overnight. He's back to his old self now, but it was scary. Now we have to figure out what caused this. The most likely is an allergy to the virus (coxsackie) that he had.

There was a moment, when Grandma, Mom, Dad and me were in the car going to the hospital, that will remain with me to my dying day. It was the most extraordinary instance of courage, trust, and a true buddha nature that I have ever seen: Sam was having real trouble breathing at this point, his neck muscles were pulsing, and you could see his trachea swelling. And then. This magnificent boy looked at each of us and gave us the most beatific smile I've ever seen...