Sammy!
One year ago today, a bright light ceased to shine. Many hearts broke, including mine. Sammy Cipolla was only 21, yet she fought her cancer and accepted her fate with the grace and wisdom of someone way beyond her years. 'Let It be' was the song that played during the procession out of the church at her funeral, which I found to be very fitting. Sammy touched my life in a profound way. Then again, Sammy touched many people's lives.
As many of you know, my cousin Tom rode his bike 442 miles across the state of Iowa this past July to raise money for LIVESTRONG, a foundation that tirelessly aids in the fight against cancer. After many months of hard training in the Texas heat, Tom came down with a cold as he was preparing to leave. Undeterred, he arrived in Chicago only to discover that his connecting flight to Nebraska was canceled and there wasn't another one until the following day. By that time, his LIVESTRONG team would have began their trek. Knowing that the team was on a tight schedule, one he was not going to be able to make, he looked into turning around and going back home. Those flights were oversold for the next three days. He was tired, frustrated, sick and now, stuck. But not for long. His dad/my Uncle Steve, who has been with me every step of the way on my cancer journey, drove to the airport, picked Tom up, drove him to Nebraska (where his bike and gear had been shipped), then drove him to Iowa to meet up with his LIVESTRONG team, then turned around and drove back to Chicago.
So began Tom's 7 day ride across Iowa. In the cold, wet rain. With a cold. As he pushed himself mile after mile, hour after hour, he held in his hand a piece of paper that his wife Jill had given him. Written on it were the names of people he could think about when he got tired, sore and uncomfortable. One of the names was Sammy. And on one particularly rough patch, Tom told me he thought of her and though he was miserable, he continued on. And ended up having the most amazing experience with incredible people who were all working together for a wonderful cause.
My favorite part of the story is the end. As Tom was a few miles from the finish, his chain broke on his bike. Just as the 7 days had started off with things gone wrong, it seemed as though they were now going to end the same way. But once again, it all worked out, as 2 of Tom's teammates rode up along side of him and aided him to the finish. (See picture below)
I am so grateful that Sammy's path crossed mine, even for short time, because she taught me so many valuable lessons. I strive every day to 'Let It Be', just as she did, because when I do, I am over come with gratitude for all of my 'teammates' that have ridden up beside me and are aiding me.
"Live, laugh, love............for me"
Samantha Cipolla
1988-2009
As many of you know, my cousin Tom rode his bike 442 miles across the state of Iowa this past July to raise money for LIVESTRONG, a foundation that tirelessly aids in the fight against cancer. After many months of hard training in the Texas heat, Tom came down with a cold as he was preparing to leave. Undeterred, he arrived in Chicago only to discover that his connecting flight to Nebraska was canceled and there wasn't another one until the following day. By that time, his LIVESTRONG team would have began their trek. Knowing that the team was on a tight schedule, one he was not going to be able to make, he looked into turning around and going back home. Those flights were oversold for the next three days. He was tired, frustrated, sick and now, stuck. But not for long. His dad/my Uncle Steve, who has been with me every step of the way on my cancer journey, drove to the airport, picked Tom up, drove him to Nebraska (where his bike and gear had been shipped), then drove him to Iowa to meet up with his LIVESTRONG team, then turned around and drove back to Chicago.
So began Tom's 7 day ride across Iowa. In the cold, wet rain. With a cold. As he pushed himself mile after mile, hour after hour, he held in his hand a piece of paper that his wife Jill had given him. Written on it were the names of people he could think about when he got tired, sore and uncomfortable. One of the names was Sammy. And on one particularly rough patch, Tom told me he thought of her and though he was miserable, he continued on. And ended up having the most amazing experience with incredible people who were all working together for a wonderful cause.
My favorite part of the story is the end. As Tom was a few miles from the finish, his chain broke on his bike. Just as the 7 days had started off with things gone wrong, it seemed as though they were now going to end the same way. But once again, it all worked out, as 2 of Tom's teammates rode up along side of him and aided him to the finish. (See picture below)
I am so grateful that Sammy's path crossed mine, even for short time, because she taught me so many valuable lessons. I strive every day to 'Let It Be', just as she did, because when I do, I am over come with gratitude for all of my 'teammates' that have ridden up beside me and are aiding me.
"Live, laugh, love............for me"
Samantha Cipolla
1988-2009
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