What is a Sam-O-Gram? When my son, Samuel, was diagnosed with a rare blood disease called Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), we (Samuel, my husband and I) spent much time in the hospital. What started out as days on end, ended up being months on end. In order to communicate regularly with friends and loved ones, Samuel's Godmother generously sent daily updates on our behalf. She would call each night to find out the latest then send out an email to those who were concerned about Samuel's condition. She called it the "Sam-O-Gram."
Samuel passed away in September 2007. As a bereaved parent I have had to find daily coping methods. One standard is that my husband, Jim, and I try to have lunch together each day as long as our schedules permit. I'm pleased to say that this occurs most everyday. Another coping method is to be active in raising awareness and funds for research into LCH and the other histiocytosis disorders. (There are several of these rare diseases.) I have done some journaling, which is also a coping method, and like so many bereaved parents who child(ren) have passed away from illness, wish to write a book. A book would immortalize Samuel's life, filled with the small victories in a short life complicated by a life-threatening and life-altering disease.
This blog is another coping method in that a Sam-O-Gram, which once told people about Samuel, will now be the messages I wanted to share with Samuel; things I wanted to teach him; philosophy and theologies about life and God that I would have passed along to him.
There are many ways writing is used in helping the bereaved: writing letters to your loved one who has passed away; journaling, as I've already mentioned; publishing a book about the life of your loved one; using PowerPoint to create a slide show and other ways of producing video for YouTube.
One of the organization for which I advocate is the Children's Rare Disease Network. They have a blog called R.A.R.E. -- Rare Advocacy, Rare Education. On January 30, they will sponsor a blog hop and I wanted to participate so now seemed like the time to create a blog. I've wanted to do so for some time.
So...welcome to the Sam-O-Gram.
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