Grandpa Chimes In

This entry is from Linc's Grandpa, Larry.


I have known Sam since he was 9 years old. As his step-father, I was in for quite a shock as I got to know this funny, highly active and perplexing little boy. We always say the greatest day in Sam’s life is the day he married Liz. They compliment each other perfectly. Calm, cool Liz and all-over-the-map, Sam.

As I watch these two parent their little boys, I am so grateful that Lincoln was lucky enough to get them for his parents. I cannot believe that wild child, Sam, has taken the lead in the therapy of a baby with Down syndrome. But what makes it work, is that in his typical fashion, Sam makes it fun. Everything in Sam’s life is supposed to be fun and that includes life with Lincoln.

Nico has no idea that his brother may be different because Sam and Liz have made everyday an adventure and everyday so much fun for them. Sam even read that crazy “The Hobbit” to Lincoln when he was struggling for 17 days in the NICU. If you have ever read the book, which I have not, you may be impressed to know that they got up to the main character meeting the creature that looks like James Carville from CNN in the movie. (Mary just told me their names are Bilbo and Gollum. Go figure.) That is kind of far into the story, but that is how passionately Sam wanted Lincoln to love to read.

As parents, Sam and Liz take their boys to church each Sunday, never miss a therapy session, go to play groups and love to introduce the kids to music. I know that their work schedules leave them exhausted and wishing for more time together, but they do it for Lincoln. We often talk about what he would be like if he had gone to day care. He is so sweet and undemanding. He would have been easy to plop in a bouncy chair, fed and diapered while other children got the attention. But, that didn’t happen. He never got a break from those two. Every waking moment was used to stimulate and encourage for the next task at hand. And it shows. Lincoln is a marvel to all of us and some day when he meets his maker face to face, he can say, “Thanks for giving me to Sam and Liz.”