His actual name is Samuel Joseph Calloway, but we always called him Sammy. Out of ten kids, I was the youngest and Sammy was the next in age to me, just about four years older. Sammy would have been 52 on November 27th. Some of you had the privilege of either knowing Sammy or meeting Sammy and he probably touched your life somehow. This time last year he spent over a month with us in Ohio. I thank the Lord we were able to have him with us for Thanksgiving and his birthday.
This morning at approximately 6:30 Sammy’s physical life ended and his eternal life began. Actually his eternal life began about 27 years ago when he finally decided to stop living for himself and gave his life over to God. I want to share what happened this morning starting at about 6:00. For those of you who are reading this that are not followers of Christ, what you are about to read will not make much sense or seem like goofy ravings.
Sammy had been in Hillcrest Nursing home in Knoxville since last December and over the past month his health had been going down hill. Yesterday my family called me to come home because Sammy had taken a bad turn for the worst and mys sisters bought me an airplane ticket to come back to Knoxville. I got into to town about 3:30 in the afternoon and went immediately to the nursing home. I volunteered to stay at the nursing home with Sammy overnight to be with him in case of a problem. He had been very lethargic and almost comatose throughout the day, not speaking or opening his eyes. Arounbd 8:30 last night he began he to lift his hands up like he was reaching to hug his sons Cody and Tyler. Later around 9:30 everyone had gone home to get rest except for myself and my brother-in-law Dennis. Sammy became alert and asked what time it was and I told him 9:30. He again began to lift up his hands as if to reach out to someone or for someone.
All through the night I was talking to him, praying and reading scriptures to him. Around midnight he was sleeping and back to being lethargic. Around 5:30 this morning his breathing became fast, about one breath per second. Around 6:00 I began to tell him that we knew he was tired and we wanted what was best for him even if it was leaving us. You see, Sammy had been suffering for years from three bypass surgeries, damage to his body from abusing drugs, and from being diabetic. Five years ago doctors told us he would only live for a few more months – well he proved them wrong. This happened more than once, but the toll on his poor body had finally caught up with him. I called my sisters and brother at 6:20 and told them to come because I didn’t think he was going to make it much longer.
After I called my siblings I told Sammy it was ok to go and that Jesus was in the room with us. I wasn’t just saying that to make him feel better. The presence of Jesus was in that room with us. Sammy loves his sons, they were the pride of his life. I told Sammy that I would tell his boys that he loved them and the moment I did, he opened his eyes for the first time in hours as to say to me, “Thank you.” I told him I would miss him and that we all would miss him, but that we would see him again. Again I told him it was ok to go and that Jesus was with us. I then told him to tell our Mom and Dad that we miss them and that we love them. He again opened his eyes and looked past me, not at me. I asked who did he see? I asked if he was seeing the Lord, angels, Mom and Dad. He closed his eyes and then opened them one more time to look past me, then he closed his eyes and stopped breathing. He had entered into the presence of our Lord. What a moment!
I have been around people when they have passed on. Our Dad, another brother amd several people who were Christian brothers and sisters. I have many, many memories of Sammy from the time we were kids up until now. I have never been in a situation like I was with Sammy. I will hold this memory in my heart until the day that I take my last breath. I regret not calling my siblings and Sammy’s sons sooner, but one of my sisters shared with me that the way it happened was God’s plan.
It is not goodbye to Sammy, but I’ll see you later buddy – save a place for me.
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.”
Thanks for letting me share.