Life Is Like a Book - Sam's Story
Sam tells a story about her life
My name is Samantha. I turned twelve on March 24th 1995 and on March 25th my birthday celebrations changed.
March 25th 1995
My Grandad and Grandma were coming over to look after my younger brother & sister and I. Our older brother was out with some of his school friends, my dad was already at work and my Mum was due at work when our grandparents arrived. When they arrived Grandad drove Mum to work while Grandma got us ready to go out. We were going to spend the day with them. Grandad came back and we set off in the car to Leominster so that he could collect directions for a hospital appointment. After that we went to collect my birthday present – a brand new watch – then off to Hereford to pick up Grandma's glasses, Grandad wasn’t feeling well so he asked Grandma to drive.
Life is like a book, it has a beginning, a middle and an end
When we got to the Dinmore turning Grandad said he wanted to go home so we turned off. About 2 or 3 metres down the road Grandad started to make odd noises so Grandma pulled over and ran round the other side. She tried giving Grandad some off his Aspirin spray but it had no effect.
I asked “ Is Grandad going to die?” and Grandma shouted back at me in a tone I had never heard her use before. She jumped back in, swung the car around and went back to the petrol station. An assistant came out and took my brother, my sister and I into a back room and kept us amused with piles of sweets.
I’m going to do something special and I know my Grandad would be proud of me
Some time later Dad came and picked us up and we went to collect my older brother. By the time we reached the hospital Grandad was dead and my present was lost. Mum told me “ Life is like a book, it has a beginning, a middle and an end.”
I will be 24 on my next birthday. Each year that passes it gets a bit easier. I learnt from this, how important it is to grieve and talk about your feelings, never bottle it up inside. My granddad had an amazing smile and gave me lots of great memories. This year I’m going to do something special and I know my Grandad would be proud of me.
