Samanthas Story
Donation protected
Hi, I am fundraising for my daughter Samantha, many would have seen the post I put on the 'Next-door' site a few days ago. Sam was married on March the 5th to the love of her life, John, they had been together for 27 years. The day after the wedding [March 6th, John passed away at 3-30 in the afternoon, he had been fighting cancer for some time. The Hospital advised them that if they had anything special planned for the future, they should make it sooner rather than later, as John was told that his cancer was now terminal. They both knew that his time would be short, and they had planned a wedding to take place on Sam's birthday this coming April. Because of the shock news this date was st for the 5th of March, John had superhuman strength that day I don't know how he managed it, it took its toll on him, I saw him the next morning, he was laying in a bed in the downstairs front room, a special bed that the hospital had arranged for him. His breathing was terrible, and he was using breathing equipment. I left at midday, the drive home was 4 hours, and when I walked into the front room about 4.30 the phone rang it was Sam, and she told me that John had passed at 3-30, I was lost for words and had to hand the phone over to Sue my wife.
Sam's problem now is she is short of money because they did not have anything put aside for Johns's funeral, so that is why I have taken it on myself to set up a fundraising page to help her out, she has no idea that I have done this, she would never have done it herself, she is a Stubborn and headstrong and would not even attempt along these lines. I am hoping to raise a fair few bob, and if I do then at some point she will find out, I will cross that bridge when the time comes. Thanks for taking the time in reading my post.
U P D A T E Sunday 20th March 2022 [My mind doesn't just wander].
I made the above post a week ago, and today I phoned my daughter Samantha to tell her what I had done, and my hand was shaking when I dialled her number. She was out on the hill above where she lives, taking her dog for a walk, I was not sure how she would react to what I did by placing a post on go-fund-me. Thankfully, the phone call went OK, and we talked for nearly an hour.
After the call, I copied and pasted all the links to the site so that she could read exactly what I had written, word for word.
Sometime later, she sent an e-mail back, telling me she had made some corrections to the post.
To my shame, I had made a few errors, like her age was 49 and not 52.
She had sent the post back with all the errors corrected.
The problem is my age. [My mind doesn't just wander]. More like it goes to sleep.
Some of the points that I got wrong were a long time ago.
I'm 74 now, and I am always making mistakes. My memory is not what it was, unlike my wife, who has a memory of an Elephant. She doe's not EVER forget anything.
I was not able to tell Samantha what I was doing till today. So I have enclosed the correctly revised post and added it below.
This is how it should have read from day one. My apologies to everyone that read the original.
Regards J.
THE CORRECTED POST.
My daughter's name is Samantha, this is her story.
A story closer to home.
Sam is now 49. Twenty-seven years ago she met the love of her life, his name was John.
They both lived in the same area in Essex. Sam and her young son lived above the shops, and she worked evenings in a chip shop, this is where they met, John would come in for his supper and Sammy instantly like him.
Their first date clinched it for both of them, and they knew they would be together, forever.
They discussed what they both wanted, and it was the same things. Love, respect and to discuss everything.
They agreed that no one should be with anyone if they were not happy because life was too short and if either of them ever felt an inkling for anyone else then that would be the time to end it. But that never happened, they were soul mates.
One year later they had a daughter named Lydia, and by chance, Lydia was born on my birthday in June.
10 years later Sam had a cancer scare and underwent treatment at Basildon Hospital, not knowing the outcome they decided to move. Sam said she wanted a better place for the kids to grow up in, if she died she wanted them to have a better life with more opportunities and clean sea air. They chose Dorset, a hundred and seventy miles away.
John became ill with Lung cancer 3 years ago, he amazed doctors by walking miles every day to show how fit he was for surgery, and surgeons were convinced to operate and save John's life. It went so well. We could relax again. John was in the clear. Then Samantha became unwell, and doctors told her she had cancer. We couldn't believe it, but Sammy never let it get her down.
Several Radio Therapy sessions later and things were looking up.
Sam got a dream job at the port and John looked after the house, a perfect arrangement. Plenty of time to be together and enjoy the beautiful place that they lived in.
The one setback was she only gets paid when a ship is in the docks, No Ship, No Pay.
In the weeks between work, Sam would help out in the local community, one job was renovating the local community hall as a volunteer.
Last November, Jon had his checkup scan for his lungs and was too far up the bed, meaning his liver was scanned by accident. On Christmas Eve, they were told that the cancer had returned. This time it would not be curable, but treatable. They didn't tell anyone else, as they did not want to spoil their festive season.
On Boxing Day, John deteriorated and scans revealed it was in his spine. 5 days of emergency Radio Therapy and 10 days pain management meant he could walk again and go home.
They had planned on getting married on Samantha's 50th birthday this coming April, doctors said to bring this date forward.
With the help of many friends and family, the wedding was arranged within two weeks on a tight budget.
As Samantha loves her work so much, she felt it fitting to arrive by lorry and her good friends Deardens Haulage stepped in with their truck with a white cab driven by her friend Dan.
She was pleased as punch with this. As the cab was high up, Jon had to follow in a car.
They had a traditional Hand-fasting wedding, it took place at sunset on the isle at Portland, their home.
The whole day went well, and John told me that evening that he would die a happy man. I had a special certificate printed for John and Samantha, that was signed on the day.
The next morning, John was confined to his bed that had been set up in the living room, the day before had taken its toll on him. We spent some time chatting with John and Sam at their home in Portland, and then we left at midday.
On the way back I wanted to go to East Lulworth to go down to Lulworth Cove, a special place for me, my son Steven, Samantha's brother ashes were scattered in the sea from the beach. Steven had been to the Cove on a previous occasion for a short holiday, and was smitten with the place. He was only 17 when he died.
A few hours later we arrived back home close to 5 that evening, and as I walked into the living room the house phone rang, it was Samantha, and she said John was rushed to the hospital not long after we left, and that he had passed away at 3-30 that afternoon.
I was shocked, and I had to hand the phone to Sue. Then the realization hit me that Sam would now be living alone.
As a father, I wish I could do more, and I have spent the following week wondering if I should put up this post.
Now I come to the point of why I am telling you Samantha's story.
The funeral has been set for late afternoon on the 25th of March, but there is a problem. Sam does not have sufficient funds to cover the cost of the funeral, and all the expense that goes with it.
At this moment in time, Sam does not know about this post, and I know she would be against it, she is head strong and stubborn, but I know that she will need help. So I am appealing for help with this issue, for donations, any amount that you can afford, even if it’s only a pound.
A Go-Fund-me page has now been set up, this was done with the help of someone who I have never met his name is Amit Bhavsar.
'DON’T MISS ME MORE'
Don’t miss me more than once a day,
For life is moving fast.
Don’t wish all of your time away,
Dreaming of the past.
Don’t waste the moment looking at,
The things I left behind me.
I’m not within those walls or boxes
The heart is where you’ll find me.
Don’t dread to say my name, sweet one,
Don’t fear the wrath of sadness.
Just take the love you had for me,
And turn it into gladness.
Don’t worry, when my birthday comes
Don’t feel me missing more.
I’m filled with love you’re sending me,
Just as I was before.
Some days your anger will rush out,
Your tears will find their way.
To me, wherever I am then.
I’ll soothe them all away.
When I am gone, don’t miss me more,
Than once, or twice a day.
There’s so much life to live, my love.
I’m with you, all the way.
By Donna Ashworth.
Added Yesterday [26th March], by Organiser.
Hi everyone, just thought that I would post an update. I am back home now in Hornchurch after a four-hour, tedious drive [via M25] back from Portland, where Sam lives.
Portland is the beautiful island section that is separated from Weymouth by the famous Chesil Beach, Dorset.
Chesil Beach is one of three major shingle beach structures in Britain. Its name is derived from the Old English ceosel or cisel, meaning "gravel" or "shingle".
It runs for a length of about 25 mile, from West Bay to the Isle of Portland and in places is up to 15 metres high and 200 metres wide, a nice place to visit and one of the best places to stay is Weymouth. This time we chose to stay overnight at the Premier Inn, I can highly recommend it.
John's funeral [Fri-25th-Mrch], went very well, a nice service, conducted by the same lady who married Samantha and John 2 weeks before on the 5th.
After the funeral ended, everyone who attended, went out into the sun to view the flowers, there I embraced Sam, she was shaking from head to foot, and she struggled to hold back her tears. A very sad day indeed, but John will be well remembered, and missed.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who sent donations.
If I have missed anyone on the thank-you page, please forgive me.
I have added a photo. For some reason everyone decided to sit on the left behind Sam, she chose to wear a sunflower yellow top and John's favourite hat, the one that can be seen in the wedding photos on the previous post, and a plant that John liked [Sun flowers], was displayed on two TV screens, left and right. I have also added a photo of our cat, just to lighten the post.
Thanks again to all.
Sam's problem now is she is short of money because they did not have anything put aside for Johns's funeral, so that is why I have taken it on myself to set up a fundraising page to help her out, she has no idea that I have done this, she would never have done it herself, she is a Stubborn and headstrong and would not even attempt along these lines. I am hoping to raise a fair few bob, and if I do then at some point she will find out, I will cross that bridge when the time comes. Thanks for taking the time in reading my post.
U P D A T E Sunday 20th March 2022 [My mind doesn't just wander].
I made the above post a week ago, and today I phoned my daughter Samantha to tell her what I had done, and my hand was shaking when I dialled her number. She was out on the hill above where she lives, taking her dog for a walk, I was not sure how she would react to what I did by placing a post on go-fund-me. Thankfully, the phone call went OK, and we talked for nearly an hour.
After the call, I copied and pasted all the links to the site so that she could read exactly what I had written, word for word.
Sometime later, she sent an e-mail back, telling me she had made some corrections to the post.
To my shame, I had made a few errors, like her age was 49 and not 52.
She had sent the post back with all the errors corrected.
The problem is my age. [My mind doesn't just wander]. More like it goes to sleep.
Some of the points that I got wrong were a long time ago.
I'm 74 now, and I am always making mistakes. My memory is not what it was, unlike my wife, who has a memory of an Elephant. She doe's not EVER forget anything.
I was not able to tell Samantha what I was doing till today. So I have enclosed the correctly revised post and added it below.
This is how it should have read from day one. My apologies to everyone that read the original.
Regards J.
THE CORRECTED POST.
My daughter's name is Samantha, this is her story.
A story closer to home.
Sam is now 49. Twenty-seven years ago she met the love of her life, his name was John.
They both lived in the same area in Essex. Sam and her young son lived above the shops, and she worked evenings in a chip shop, this is where they met, John would come in for his supper and Sammy instantly like him.
Their first date clinched it for both of them, and they knew they would be together, forever.
They discussed what they both wanted, and it was the same things. Love, respect and to discuss everything.
They agreed that no one should be with anyone if they were not happy because life was too short and if either of them ever felt an inkling for anyone else then that would be the time to end it. But that never happened, they were soul mates.
One year later they had a daughter named Lydia, and by chance, Lydia was born on my birthday in June.
10 years later Sam had a cancer scare and underwent treatment at Basildon Hospital, not knowing the outcome they decided to move. Sam said she wanted a better place for the kids to grow up in, if she died she wanted them to have a better life with more opportunities and clean sea air. They chose Dorset, a hundred and seventy miles away.
John became ill with Lung cancer 3 years ago, he amazed doctors by walking miles every day to show how fit he was for surgery, and surgeons were convinced to operate and save John's life. It went so well. We could relax again. John was in the clear. Then Samantha became unwell, and doctors told her she had cancer. We couldn't believe it, but Sammy never let it get her down.
Several Radio Therapy sessions later and things were looking up.
Sam got a dream job at the port and John looked after the house, a perfect arrangement. Plenty of time to be together and enjoy the beautiful place that they lived in.
The one setback was she only gets paid when a ship is in the docks, No Ship, No Pay.
In the weeks between work, Sam would help out in the local community, one job was renovating the local community hall as a volunteer.
Last November, Jon had his checkup scan for his lungs and was too far up the bed, meaning his liver was scanned by accident. On Christmas Eve, they were told that the cancer had returned. This time it would not be curable, but treatable. They didn't tell anyone else, as they did not want to spoil their festive season.
On Boxing Day, John deteriorated and scans revealed it was in his spine. 5 days of emergency Radio Therapy and 10 days pain management meant he could walk again and go home.
They had planned on getting married on Samantha's 50th birthday this coming April, doctors said to bring this date forward.
With the help of many friends and family, the wedding was arranged within two weeks on a tight budget.
As Samantha loves her work so much, she felt it fitting to arrive by lorry and her good friends Deardens Haulage stepped in with their truck with a white cab driven by her friend Dan.
She was pleased as punch with this. As the cab was high up, Jon had to follow in a car.
They had a traditional Hand-fasting wedding, it took place at sunset on the isle at Portland, their home.
The whole day went well, and John told me that evening that he would die a happy man. I had a special certificate printed for John and Samantha, that was signed on the day.
The next morning, John was confined to his bed that had been set up in the living room, the day before had taken its toll on him. We spent some time chatting with John and Sam at their home in Portland, and then we left at midday.
On the way back I wanted to go to East Lulworth to go down to Lulworth Cove, a special place for me, my son Steven, Samantha's brother ashes were scattered in the sea from the beach. Steven had been to the Cove on a previous occasion for a short holiday, and was smitten with the place. He was only 17 when he died.
A few hours later we arrived back home close to 5 that evening, and as I walked into the living room the house phone rang, it was Samantha, and she said John was rushed to the hospital not long after we left, and that he had passed away at 3-30 that afternoon.
I was shocked, and I had to hand the phone to Sue. Then the realization hit me that Sam would now be living alone.
As a father, I wish I could do more, and I have spent the following week wondering if I should put up this post.
Now I come to the point of why I am telling you Samantha's story.
The funeral has been set for late afternoon on the 25th of March, but there is a problem. Sam does not have sufficient funds to cover the cost of the funeral, and all the expense that goes with it.
At this moment in time, Sam does not know about this post, and I know she would be against it, she is head strong and stubborn, but I know that she will need help. So I am appealing for help with this issue, for donations, any amount that you can afford, even if it’s only a pound.
A Go-Fund-me page has now been set up, this was done with the help of someone who I have never met his name is Amit Bhavsar.
'DON’T MISS ME MORE'
Don’t miss me more than once a day,
For life is moving fast.
Don’t wish all of your time away,
Dreaming of the past.
Don’t waste the moment looking at,
The things I left behind me.
I’m not within those walls or boxes
The heart is where you’ll find me.
Don’t dread to say my name, sweet one,
Don’t fear the wrath of sadness.
Just take the love you had for me,
And turn it into gladness.
Don’t worry, when my birthday comes
Don’t feel me missing more.
I’m filled with love you’re sending me,
Just as I was before.
Some days your anger will rush out,
Your tears will find their way.
To me, wherever I am then.
I’ll soothe them all away.
When I am gone, don’t miss me more,
Than once, or twice a day.
There’s so much life to live, my love.
I’m with you, all the way.
By Donna Ashworth.
Added Yesterday [26th March], by Organiser.
Hi everyone, just thought that I would post an update. I am back home now in Hornchurch after a four-hour, tedious drive [via M25] back from Portland, where Sam lives.
Portland is the beautiful island section that is separated from Weymouth by the famous Chesil Beach, Dorset.
Chesil Beach is one of three major shingle beach structures in Britain. Its name is derived from the Old English ceosel or cisel, meaning "gravel" or "shingle".
It runs for a length of about 25 mile, from West Bay to the Isle of Portland and in places is up to 15 metres high and 200 metres wide, a nice place to visit and one of the best places to stay is Weymouth. This time we chose to stay overnight at the Premier Inn, I can highly recommend it.
John's funeral [Fri-25th-Mrch], went very well, a nice service, conducted by the same lady who married Samantha and John 2 weeks before on the 5th.
After the funeral ended, everyone who attended, went out into the sun to view the flowers, there I embraced Sam, she was shaking from head to foot, and she struggled to hold back her tears. A very sad day indeed, but John will be well remembered, and missed.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who sent donations.
If I have missed anyone on the thank-you page, please forgive me.
I have added a photo. For some reason everyone decided to sit on the left behind Sam, she chose to wear a sunflower yellow top and John's favourite hat, the one that can be seen in the wedding photos on the previous post, and a plant that John liked [Sun flowers], was displayed on two TV screens, left and right. I have also added a photo of our cat, just to lighten the post.
Thanks again to all.
Organizer
Joe Po'ley
Organizer
England
