This is one of the wonderful valentines that Sam received over the past couple of weeks.  I posted this one on the main website because it is one of those things that you read and wish you would have written yourself.  Laura completely captures what we all feel is Sam's legacy and does it in such a glorious manner.  Absoulutley beautiful. 

And there are many other beautiful and touching Valentines that I have placed on miracleboy under the catagory VALENTINES FOR SAM.  Please take the time to read them...while I don't have time to place them all on there, please know that every valentine that Sam received was so loved and appriciated!

--Bec

Sam,

There are varying opinions as to the origin of Valentine's Day.  Some experts state that it originated from St. Valentine, a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity.  He died on February 14, 269 A.D, the same day that had been devoted to love lotteries.  Legend also says that St. Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer's daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it "From Your Valentine".  Other aspects of the story say that Saint Valentine served as a priest at the temple during the reign of Emperor Claudius.  Claudius then had Valentine jailed for defying him.  In 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honour St. Valentine.

I say "who cares" because for me, as of Valentine's Day 2005, the day will have one symbol--YOU.  I will never forget where I was when I heard about your accident, and how amazed I have been and will continue to be regarding your remarkable achievements since.  I had the distinct pleasure of working with your Dad here at the Attorney General's Office, and I even had the fun adventure of trying to manage him for a few months, as if anyone could!  I have never met a man whose family was more reflected in his eyes, whose pride over having been a representative of the People was overshadowed by his pride over his wife, daughters, and son.

I have never met you Sam, nor your magical Mom, nor your fabulous sisters, but I feel as though I know you all given how your Dad would talk about you the moment he came to our Office.  One of my favorite recollections is the day Joann and I at work were teasing your Dad about how cute it was that he would bring his lunch from home.  He was always so orderly about taking it out and eating it.  I asked him if Maureen made his lunch for him, and he gave the look we at work would come to know and miss--you know the one--drop the chin a little, tilt head slightly to the right, and roll the eyes upward.  He told us that not only did she not make the lunch, she informed him early on after his departure from the House that she "was not a member of his staff."  Our natural reaction was "you go Girl!"

Sam, some of the sparkle and light went out of your Dad's eyes when he returned after your accident, but it was soon replaced by a fiery resolve to never give up on you, to support your Mom in her quest to advocate for your life and health with experts who became inappropriate hurdles, and to press on with his work because weren't you providing the best example ever of doing so as well?

You are remarkable, Sam.  I have MS and every time I start to get a little down about it or want to give up, you smack me upside the head even though you don't know it!  If you can fight and scrape and SMILE as you do, we can all deal with whatever life throws at us.  You are an inspiration, a motivation, and a stimulation.  I believe that when all is said and done, one of the greatest indicators of the measure of a person is how their family feels about them.  We all know people who seem to be fabulous but their family is never about.  Look at you.  You are fabulous.  And your family is always about.  Not because you need their help, Sam, but because they want and need to help, and because being around your magical energy is a gift greater than any they could give to you.

How do I know this without ever having met you and your Mom and sisters?  Through their actions and through their words concerning you.  Your sisters' entries on the miracleboy website are so gripping and loving.  Your Mom's tireless and crucial care of you and representation for you is astounding.  You Dad's emotions and stamina and integrity on your behalf are compelling.  But why wouldn't they be and do all these things, given the laser light you shine out from your heart and mind to the rest of us.

I cannot believe how far you have come in a year--and I'm not even talking about you recovery, Sam.  Of course it is beyond compare.  I am talking about the number of people whose lives you have changed through the example of just being you.  Take the number of Valentine cards you receive and multiply it by 25 or 30, because that would be the number of people each sender has spoken to about you.  Multiply that again as those people tell others, and so on, and so on.

Every victory you have is a victory for your family and for the legions of people like me who check on, and pray for, your progress all the time.

There are varying opinions as to the origin of Valentine's Day.  Some experts state that it originated from St. Valentine, a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity...But anyone who knows Sam Howell knows the true meaning of Valentine's Day.  It is a time for hope, for love, for tenacity, for advocacy, for belief, and, most of all, for courage.

God bless you and your family, Sam!

Love,

Laura