Update on Sam

It’s been three years since Sam was assaulted on the streets of Portland. I am so grateful that today he is healthy, and that he is stronger because of what he has been through. He has moved on from that time, reluctant to talk about it or relive the experience and the aftermath in any way. I have to follow his lead. I respect his feelings. 

Sam, Photo Credit: B. Kitson

Sam is driving again, working hard, spending time with friends and family and planning for his future. He is doing good, and I am so proud of his ability to forgive and move on. 

When I returned to work after Sam was assaulted, many of my friends spoke to me offering me encouragement and love. I can't remember most of the exact words, but one of my friends, who is is a nurse, said to me, "Do you know how lucky he is? Do you understand?"

I thought I did, but I didn't really. I do now. He is a survivor. I am so so thankful and blessed. 

I am forever grateful for everyone who supported Sam through the GoFundMe campaign. Through this, I’ve learned there are many good people in the world, and in my own life. My family, of course. My friends in Arkansas were everything and still are; I miss them. 

I do not believe anyone will ever be held accountable for what happened to Sam. I am frustrated and heartbroken over that reality check, but I have to believe and hope that the person who did this to Sam lives with the guilt of what he has done. I hope he does not, or has not, done it again. I have not forgotten, but I am trying to forgive. 

There’s been a lesson for me here. Sometimes things do not turn out as you plan or hope, but that is OK. There is a lesson from every experience. Sometimes it is just hard to see it. 

Much love to everyone, again and always, who has supported me and Sam and stood by me in the darkest hours and the happiest moments. 

Thank you! I love you all! I can’t say it enough.

Is there forgiveness without remorse?

It’s been two years, and it some ways, it seems like yesterday, but then also a lifetime ago. Many things have changed for me, and mostly because of what happened to Sam. 

But this is not about me. It’s about Sam, and for those who love him or who have supported him or who follow him through my words, you are here to hear about him. And, thank goodness, Sam is thriving. 

Sam finished last semester at Portland State University with a 4.0 GPA while working. He has 2 more classes and he will graduate. We are so proud. 

He and Bridget are happy in their new home, just outside Portland in what I would call “the country.” Lots of acreage and horse farms around. It seems perfect. They have a new dog, Eliot Ruby or Elle (named after Sam’s favorite T.S. Eliot) who was welcomed to the fold by her older sibling, Weezy. 

Bridget works 2 jobs. Sam works and goes to school. Bridget was called by the producers of the TV show Portlandia and will be an extra in an upcoming episode. Exciting! She's famous!

It would seem their life is back to normal, but it is a new normal for them because Sam does not drive. The headaches and dizziness still prevent him from feeling comfortable on the road, and he would never put himself or anyone else in danger. So, Bridget or an Uber take him to his bus, then his bus takes him to the train. And on it goes. That’s how he gets to  work and school. It’s not comfortable, but it is how it is. Sam still takes 2 medications every day, maybe forever. He used to work at a bar; he was the bartender who could talk to anyone about anything. He’s so well read. He loved the social aspect of it, although maybe not the late nights. Now, he doesn’t drink so bars are not his thing. If he goes, he goes for the camaraderie, not the alcohol. 

The one question everyone always asks me is “Have they caught the guys who did this?” It’s a fair question. It isn’t about catching them, they know who they are. It’s about arresting and convicting them. That has not happened. 

We wait and hope and hear nothing. You can guess how I feel or what I might think. I’m hesitant to say too much just in case ….

But I will tell you what I believe about the MAIN perpetrator of this crime and the eyewitness accounts. 

• Sam did not know his attacker. 
• Sam did not raise his fists or his hands.
• When Sam raised his hand to his head, after the first punch, the bully punched him again.
• Sam was hit not once, but at least twice. Probably more.
• He was unconscious when he hit the ground. That is why he didn’t put out his hands to catch himself. 
• His attacker and his friends fled the scene. They did not call 911; they did not wait around to see if he was OK. They did not contact the police when they saw it on the news.
• His attacker and his friends have never showed remorse or offered an apology. 
• His attacker and his attacker’s friends all hired private attorneys. Three different private attorneys. Think about that. 

Right by Sam's bed. 

Prepare yourselves Portland, there is a person roaming the streets of your city, who put my son in the hospital, who doesn’t have a police record, who is free to live his life, and who is free to torment others if he wishes. Which he will, I’m sure. If he has done this to my son, he’s done it before, and he will do it again. I’m sure he feels like he is untouchable. 

His attorney, I’m guessing, asked him to remove all of his social media activities and any evidence of who he is online, which he did to some extent for awhile. As did his friends. But, as his confidence in “getting off” has accelerated, so has his activity on social media, and he’s back on Facebook. He’s been tagged in photos, his friends have quoted him, and there is information out there that shows he is just plain stupid. And, I am not. 

I have been able to piece a picture together of this person. And, the picture that emerges is of an entitled brat who has traveled all over the world (and he’s only in his mid-20s).

He has made misogynistic comments saying, as one example, that the WNBA should be on the Comedy Channel, not Cable or ESPN. (I will give a shout out to his mom for that attitude. Good job.) He has a meme of himself, using an actual photo of himself, that says “goes to restaurant … waitress tips.” He is disrespectful. He spends his time partying, snowboarding, wake boarding, skateboarding, and watching football. He’s from the Portland area. He has a rowdy group of friends who use foul language online. They aren’t funny, they are crude. 

While this person is able to skateboard and snowboard and participate in his favorite activities, Sam can no longer play basketball. Sam spent his entire life loving and playing the sport. When he was 4 years old, I bought a $10 yard-sale goal and stuck it in the living room so he could run off some of that pre-school energy. He would play for hours, dunking on that tiny goal. He played on that thing every single day. It's still one of his prized possessions. Until a few years ago, wherever and whenever he could, he would play in pickup games. He was a confident player, an excellent player. He loved basketball. It is painful for me, and for those who have watched Sam for years, to know he is not able to participate in those things he loves. It's not fair. 

Yes, my bitterness is palpable. I get it. I am angry that this bully is not being held accountable. I have no respect for him, his boorish friends or his pathetic parents. They raised the worst.

While I raised the best. While I wait for justice or an apology or something, Sam already has forgiven his attackers. That says everything.

Thank you all for everything you have done for Sam, all the prayers and financial support. It means everything. Thank you for always thinking of my sweet son. 

A Life Well Loved

If someone asked me to describe myself today, I might say I am responsible, maybe outspoken or blunt, a little fun-loving. But is that how I want to be remembered? When I draw my last breath, what are the words I want my children to use when describing me? How do I want my friends to feel when they think of me? How do I want to be remembered by those who knew or loved me? I can guarantee you that “blunt” is not what comes to mind. 

Today, I’m struggling to think of the words to describe someone so very dear to me. What words do her justice? Are there any? She was humble, life-affirming, loving, funny, easy-going. She laughed easily and cried too hard. She was an emotional being, shedding tears at all those tiny moments in life that others sail through. She sobbed every time, EVERY TIME, she said goodbye to me over the years. She had the cutest laugh. She could easily make fun of herself, but she would never do that to you. She would never, ever, ever hurt someone’s feelings. That was beyond her; she did not even know how to do that. 

Sometime during the night this past Thursday, or maybe early Friday morning, my precious Aunt Connie Alavezos, left her earthly body. Cancer, the hated horrible cancer, wore her down, and eventually took her from us. As it robbed her of her physical strength, it never took away her spirit.

I’m thinking of my dad today who has lost his sister, my cousins and their children who have to say goodbye to their beloved mom and grandmother, my Uncle who has lost his best friend and selfishly, myself, because I loved her and I will miss her always. 

She loved her family perfectly, her children fiercely, her grandchildren above all, and her husband for what seems like her entire life. She had a beautiful smile, and a sing-song voice that gave you comfort. I will turn to it in the coming days as I think of her, and honor her memory with the same love she showed all.

Before I had nieces or nephews, I used to tell everyone … “I want to be their Aunt Connie." Everyone should have an Aunt that loves them as completely as I was loved by her. Her daughter, my dear cousin, reminded me yesterday that I was “her Kelly.” Yes, that is true. She always referred to her loved ones as "hers" .... my Kelly, my Sherry, my Denise, my Ronnie, my Donnie. Her last thoughts, as she knew the end was coming, was of my Uncle Donnie. She told her friends, "Please take care of my Donnie." Her love was completely altruistic. 

She seemed to understand me and when I was with her … she loved me without hesitation or judgment. I felt comfort in her presence, and is there any better feeling than that?

A few months ago, I took a special trip to California to spend time with her as she was weakening. She only wanted to hear about about my life and stories from my dad and stepmom, who were also there. While she was suffering, her only thoughts were of us. She didn’t dwell on the pain, she focused on the family at hand. She worried about me. Worried about Sam and Molly. Expressed her happiness that I have Dan in my life. Her light was shining on me. 

During her battle, my Uncle Donnie, easily the most selfless man who ever lived, was her constant companion, her caregiver, the love of her life … and he proved his devotion every day. My Uncle Donnie has a keen sense of humor. He’s a jokester, and during this critical time in their lives, he never lost his sense of humor. It was an amazing thing to witness.

When I was in California, I got to spend some time alone with him … he was talking about how he first met my Aunt, how he loved her then and today. He talked about what in his life has meant the most to him. Of course, it’s family. He is the epitome of a family man … he has devoted every minute of every day to his family in one way or another. A truck driver by trade, he used to go out of his way and stop in Arkansas to see me when he could. He has been as devoted to me as to his own daughters (at least I like to think so). 

They were/are both caregivers. Their daughters, my cousins, are caregivers … always putting others first … a calling to be admired and emulated. Years ago, when my grandmother needed somewhere to go where someone could take care of her, they took her in to their home. They cared for her for many years. I owe them for loving my grandmother, sweet Lona May Hinds, in a way no one else could. Hands on, loving her every day. 

When I was a little girl, there was nothing I liked better than spending the weekend at my Aunt Connie’s and Uncle Donnie’s house. They had a swimming pool, an organ, an original Atari game system and WATER BEDS! My cousin had one of those play kitchens that I desired. Their home had all the cool things I didn’t have at my house. And, their house was full of other kids, family and neighborhood kids, and so much laughter. My Uncle loved to tease the kids, and sometimes I was a little fearful of him, and I would run to my Aunt, and she would yell at him to “Stop teasing Kelly!” Then she would say, “Honey, he loves you. I love you so much! I am so glad you are here!” Then the hugs. Her hugs were the best, and she always had plenty of them. Of course, he did, too. They were the parents everyone wanted. 

The happiness that was in their home, the love they showed to family and friends, and the generosity they have always lived by .. it’s more than I can comprehend. With all the hate and the divisiveness in this world, are there really people that loving and good in this place? Am I really that blessed to have them as my family? To have helped me grow to the person I am today? I don’t deserve them.

I love them so very much, and I feel like I am the luckiest girl in the world to have them as MY aunt and uncle. In this time when my Uncle is finding his way without my Aunt, and as we say goodbye the one of the most precious people who ever lived, say a prayer or think of them. 

She may not be here, but she is with me. I hear her, and I will always cherish her. Change is hard, especially a change that robs you of a light. She was a gift to me, and all who knew her, and I’m thankful for the love and memories of my precious Aunt Connie. 

Living Your Best Life; Overcoming Fear

Before I talk about living your best life and overcoming fear, here’s an update on Sam and Bridget.

Sam, photo by Bridget. 

Sam is doing well, still in school and working. Bridget just graduated from college (Portland State University) and is working part-time and looking for a full-time job. They may be moving to smaller community just outside of Portland in a few months, and Sam hopes to graduate from PSU in December. They recently took a trip through Wyoming and into Montana, camping and visiting friends along the way. In Montana, they were there with me and my new husband, Dan, and Molly and her amazing boyfriend, Andy. It was a happy time. They are doing well. 

In the past 3 months, I’ve gotten married, resigned from my job (and my husband retired from his), accepted a new job in Idaho (very far away from family and friends), moved, found temporary housing to live in, bought a house and now am trying to sell one. I’ve also been on 2 vacations, driven across the country, and said goodbye (maybe forever) to many people I love in Arkansas.

It’s been a busy few months. 

Arkansas work family.

Arkansas family. 

I knew leaving Arkansas would be hard. I knew I would be sad, and it was as hard and as sad as I expected. My work friends cried with me every day, my family cried, and I cried alone. 

But I had to take this opportunity to change my life, sometimes you take risks for unknown rewards. Sometimes you overcome your fear of the unknown to live a different, hopefully better, life. Dan and I always wanted to move to the Northwest, and this was our opportunity. Neither of my children were in Arkansas anymore, they were brave enough to take a chance on a different life, shouldn’t I be just as brave?

If you are afraid, do not be. Live your best life. I had a beautiful aunt who helped raise my mother and her sister. She lived her whole life in a small house, caring for her mother and her husband, never having children of her own. In her bedroom, in her dresser, she kept brand new clothes. She had suits, nightgowns, dresses … all with the tags still on. She longed to wear these nice things, but she knew she wouldn’t get a chance in the life she was living. She thought that someday, when her husband was gone (a husband I think she only tolerated), she would move to San Diego, live with her sister, and enjoy the life she always imagined. 

But, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, suffered for several years, and eventually took her own life. She never got to live her best life. I always think of her when I am afraid … I wish she had lived her dream, that she had not been waiting for her circumstances to change to move forward. I wish she had not been afraid to change her life when she had the chance. 

Whether you want to change your life by getting a divorce or by getting married, living in a different place or finding a new job, having a child or adopting or fostering or none of those … Take the chance. Change your future. You will never know what adventures await if you don’t step out of your comfort zone and experience the unknown. 

I can honestly say I that I’ve never regretted any decision I have made to overcome a fear, to take a different journey. I would encourage you all to do the same. 

Living in Idaho brings me closer to my son, closer to my dad and happier in my life. My next goal is to get Molly and Andy closer. I recently spent some time with family, altogether in Montana, and I’m at peace with the choices I’ve made. I wish you peace, too. 

Being silly in Montana

Us in Boise, Idaho.

Family in Montana. 

Andy and Molly. 

Kiddos and Buckley. 

Buckley and Zoe. 

Family. 

An Unwelcome Anniversary Observed with a Grateful Heart

It's been a year today since Sam was assaulted. 

Last night my son was texting me right before his beloved Packers took on the Cowboys. He was giving me a countdown, "71 min away" until the game started. A year ago, he was doing the exact same thing ... texting me about the Packers as he left his home to join friends at a local bar to watch his favorite team play. This year, he watched it from his apartment in Portland.

Son Sam and daughter Molly, December 2016.

His life today, thankfully, is very much the same as it was prior to January 16, 2016. Yet, it's different.

Today ... I have so many feelings. Good feelings. Bad feelings. A few sad feelings. All of ‘em.

After he was assaulted on January 16, 2016, he spent weeks in the hospital, went to rehab, had two surgeries, went through outpatient therapy, has taken mind-numbing amounts of medication, spent months recovering and, thankfully, today is doing well. 

On Sunday, January 17, 2016, I woke up to missed messages from Bridget. Within a few hours, I was on a plane to Portland. It was a scary time, and I was looking for a little hope. I found it in small acts of kindness in the weeks to come. The first act of kindness in Portland was a cab driver who, after hearing that my son was injured, gave me a free ride to the hospital. Then, as Bridget and I sat by Sam’s hospital bed day after day, the nurse made us peanut butter and jelly sandwiches from his own lunch stash. Then, a young 49ers fan heard Sam’s story and bought him a Packers jersey. It is those little moments, those acts of kindness that have stuck with me, that make the story easier to tell, and has always made it easier to bear.

I have this habit, that I use both professionally and personally, that helps me get through difficult days. When things get tough or overwhelming, I try to imagine where I will be a year from that moment. I imagine that I will look back at the thing scared me, and realize I accomplished the task, got through it, made it work, whatever. I focus on one day at a time, until I can look back and know that I made it. That's what I did on that first day, and week, while Sam was in the hospital, I focused on where we would be a year from then, that we could get through it. Because no matter what, the next year was coming, and I couldn't stop time from marching on. 

Because today is what it is (and we made it through the year!), it is a day to celebrate that Sam is happy and healthy. He is back in school. He is enjoying the benefits of living in the beautiful city of Portland. He and Bridget are enjoying their new normal. The new normal is that Sam can’t drive (dizziness and a seizure) and he suffers from constant headaches. The new normal is daily meds. The new normal has also been time to recover, time to read, time to focus on being healthy, and time to enjoy family. (Thank you GoFundMe donors!). 

Today is also a day for me to reflect on why this happened and why the perpetrators haven’t been punished. I wonder if they ever think of Sam. I wonder if they care. I hate that I am angry, and I wish there was something that could make me feel better. Today, I am just waiting for some kind of closure in the case. Waiting. WAITING. It can be frustrating.

Bridget, Sam and Molly, December 2016.

Today (and every day), I feel much love for my son and daughter, and how blessed I am to be their mom. I feel thankful today for Bridget, how she loves my son and my family. I feel thankful for my parents, my partner Dan, and my friends (near and far). I feel blessed to have laughter in my life. My kids are hilarious, and they made me laugh every day they were home during the holidays, and I'm happy they were here, and thankful for every moment with them. 

This year has changed me. I’m trying to be more mindful, more understanding and more forgiving. I’m trying to remember that we all have our struggles, our crosses to bear, and we are all doing the best we can. I remember to say a prayer every day for those who need it, and to send silent thanks to everyone who has done the same for me. I will always be grateful. 

I want to thank Legacy Emanuel Hospital; Dr. Kent Grewe, Sam's neurosurgeon; and all of the nurses who took such amazing care of Sam while he was hospitalized. They saved him, and me. I want to thank the Legacy Rehabilitation Institute of Oregon who made sure he was ready to go home, so many months ago.

I am so thankful to everyone who reads this blog; who asks about Sam, Bridget and Molly; who keeps us in their prayers; who sends heartfelt messages (especially Jamilyne and Nancy, whom I’ve never met but continue to reach out to me); and to my family.

I'm thankful for my co-workers in the Corporate Marketing Division at Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield. When I got to work today, I was feeling very emotional, teary. They KNEW I would I be a little shaky, so they left me to my work with minimal interruption, and gave me a sweet card signed by each of them, letting me know they cared. Wow. So very thoughtful. 

I’ve learned from this experience. I’ve learned that most people, at their core, are good and caring and generous. I’ve learned that I can be as strong as I need to be. I’ve learned there is NOTHING more important than your family; hold them close. 

Prayers Needed

There are a few other people on my mind today, who have suffered tremendous losses in the past few weeks, or who are battling disease. Pray for strength for them ... for Traci H., a friend of mind who lost her beautiful 17-year-old daughter to complications from ulcerative colitis; for Carla R., another friend who lost her precious son to teen suicide. And, please pray for Kayne Finley, a young man who is fighting a brain tumor. Here is his story ... https://www.facebook.com/groups/cannonballsforKayne/

Thank you for reading this blog, and thinking of my sweet family.

Being thankful.

Being thankful is definitely a better way to be.

If you aren’t grateful, you may just end up where I was for two weeks after the election. It’s not a good place to be, and I wouldn’t wish it upon anyone.

I had a headache every day for two weeks, with a full-on overblown migraine after the election. I was sick for three days.

I was sick because I let the stress of this election get the best of me. I engaged in a few offline discussions with those who have a different opinion than I do. I let people drag me into the mud, and I’m ashamed of that. I should go high when others go low, to quote Michelle Obama. I should stay away from conversations or people who cause me stress. That’s going to be one of my New Year’s resolutions.

No matter what happens with an election, the tide will always turn. Change will always come. If you preach gloom and doom or if you are shouting that a new era is born, just wait it out. You may be singing a different tune. There will eventually be a new president, a new party in power. No one always gets what they want, and that is a good thing. And, nothing lasts forever. I know that, but sometimes I forget.

Enough about that. I want to be loved and give love, be happy and make others happy, live and let live. I've got to focus on the love and light in my life, as we all do ... it makes for a better life.

So, for this week of Thanksgiving, I am going to turn to the things I am thankful for this year, and here they are, in no particular order:

• Sam — This blog started about him, and it still is, but it's more. He's my firstborn, my only son, and there aren't enough words to express how I feel related to his health, his attitude, his future ... today. So much love and gratefulness for this precious son of mine. I will be blogging more about him later, as the one-year anniversary date of his assault draws near. Today, he is back in school, doing well, getting good reports from his doctors, and I'm oh so grateful. I'm anxious to see him at Christmas.
• Molly — She's home for Thanksgiving, and I'm so happy that she is here. She is focused and resolute about her future, and her friends have been nothing but supportive of her hard work these past few months. We've spent some quality time together, but I still think quantity is just important. Just having her here, at home, means everything ... even if she is downstairs sleeping. Moms always feel better when their babies are home. I am so blessed to be her mom, and she brings me much joy.
• Dan — Most stand up guy I know. Nothing but love and appreciation for him. Grateful every day.
• Bridget — An angel on earth. I can never thank her enough for what she has done for me, for Sam, for our family. Plus, we love her and she's super fun to be around. Everyone needs a "Bridget" in their life, and I'm grateful for this girl, who is precious and beautiful inside and out.
• Buckley — I am the annoying puppy mom that everyone loves to hate. But, I love him, and I'm glad he's found his forever home with us.

  

  Buckley helps decorate. 

• A home, a car, food, friends, an education, a job — I have all of these things, and some people do not. I know I am blessed, and I am grateful.
• GoFundMe — I am thankful for crowdsourcing and for people who give so freely of their own money to support the causes that are near or dear to them. This business is everything, and I am grateful it has eased my worries this past year. I am grateful for those who gave, who don't even know me or Sam. GoFundMe donors deserve the best life has to give, and I pray for them every day.
• Family — Recently, my mom and stepfather moved close to me and my brothers. It's been a long time since we were all together in the same area, and it makes life better. I am also thinking of my dear aunt in California who is battling cancer, my dear uncle who takes care of her, my sweet cousins who are worried for her, my dad and stepmother who love her dearly ... sending love to her each day.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you who have taken the time to read this blog. Thank you for thinking of me and my children. Much love to all.

 

From Aaron Rodgers to Sam

When Sam was a little boy, he wore Green Bay Packers T-shirts, had a Packers bedspread and loved the great Brett Favre. His loyalty to the Packers has never wavered, and when Aaron Rodgers took the helm as the Packers’ quarterback, Sam became his biggest fan. 

When Sam was assaulted, the Packers Nation stood behind him in full force. And, the Packers organization responded with a gift package just for him, something they rarely do. My friends, and Packers fans, tweeted to Aaron Rodgers and the Packers organization over and over again to tell Sam’s story. The Green Bay Packers organization told several of my close friends who called them that they had NEVER BEFORE had so many people contact them on behalf of one person. That’s an amazing thing to hear, and we knew then that there are no friends like ours or fans like the Packers Nation. 

But something else was happening that we did not know about, until just his past week. There’s a young man named Eric Sterner, who lives in Portland and works for Adidas, who knew of Sam’s story and wanted to do something for him. Adidas has a relationship with Aaron Rodgers, who has been under contract to them since 2015. 

Neither Adidas nor Eric were looking for anything from Sam; they simply wanted to do a good deed. They wanted to give something to a young man who loves football and poetry, and who they knew to be Aaron Rodgers’ biggest fan. And Eric could do something because he knows Aaron, and he did a very selfless thing, asking nothing from us. Eric shared Sam’s story with Aaron, and Aaron was touched by it so he left a gift for Sam with Eric. 

A personal message from Aaron.

 To get the gift to Sam, Eric reached out to me through GoFundMe, and at first, I wasn’t even sure it was real. My friend Trey and I did a little research, and we were confident that Eric was legitimate. I asked Eric for his phone number so Sam could contact him, and he gave it to me, and Sam contacted him. He invited Sam to visit him at his office, which Sam and Bridget did, and Eric gave Sam what is the gift of a lifetime … a football signed with a personal note for Sam from Aaron Rodgers. The note says, “Sam, Hope you’re continuing to feel better! Keep wearing the Green and Gold proudly! Aaron Rodgers, 12.

How wonderful is that. It’s just so sweet. I can’t even find the right words. We have just had a very happy, grateful week. 

Bridget, Sam and the gift from Aaron Rodgers.

Bridget and Sam were in shock, but so very grateful to Eric, Adidas and Aaron Rodgers. Sam told me that Eric was the real deal, a great guy, and that he has offered his assistance in other ways to Sam and Bridget. When Sam left the Adidas store, he FaceTimed me immediately so he could show me his new treasure. And the second thing he wanted to do was have me share this gift with the Packers Nation faithful and the GoFundMe supporters, because we believe this would never have happened if his story hadn’t been shared over and over again. 

FaceTiming the news to mom.

Thank you to everyone for all you have done for Sam, Bridget and our family. Thank you for the prayers and the good thoughts. We will continue to keep our GoFundMe supporters and the Packers Nation updated on Sam’s progress. We are so thankful, and we feel the love everyday that you continue to show us. And, thank you Eric, thank you Adidas, and thank you Aaron Rodgers! Go Packers!

(And, to update everyone on Sam’s health, he’s doing very well and taking medication for his TBI-related seizures. He’s not driving yet, but he is going back to school this September and is looking for a part-time job, nothing too hectic (because of occasional headaches and dizziness), but something to keep him busy. He’s getting back to his normal, beautiful life with Bridget in Portland.)