I would like you to meet Sami. He was born into a Syrian refugee family here in Canada. Shortly after his birth, it was discovered that he had a genetic condition that would prove fatal. I was Sami's cuddler from when he was born and am affectionately known by the family as Nana Alberta. He was at home for the first four months and although his legs were paralyzed, he was smiling and starting to make those wonderful cooing sounds that all babies do. It was impossible not to fall in love with this brave wee boy.

 

 

Symptoms began to kick in and he was soon in and out of the hospital, more often in than at home. When he was seven months old, Covid arrived and I wasn't able to see him for a month since I am in the "high risk" bracket. Sami was home by that time and on Oxygen, a feeding tube and monitors. I got a call one day that he wasn't doing well and I thought, "The heck with Covid. I have to see him!" By this time he was in a coma but I had to hold him one last time and let him know I hadn't forsaken him. I had held him for only about 15 minutes when his oxygen dropped and he began to deteriorate rapidly. He died in my arms, and I lost a piece of my heart that day. I know he waited for me before leaving.

 

 

It has been two years now and I visit his grave often. I take a flower or sometimes a toy that he loved. I can't leave them there as it isn't allowed but at least we visit. The thing is that his family can't afford a marker for his grave, and it saddens me that he isn't named in that vast place. He has a sister, Noor, buried in the same cemetery, not 60 yards from him. She died two years before he was born. She also had the genetic anomaly but it wasn't realized that the same one would affect another baby until too late. She passed when she was four months old. This family has suffered so much and I would like to help a little by at least being able to mark the graves of their babies.

 

I knitted the little hat Sami is wearing and have come to call them " Sami hats." I knit them for newborns and have contributed many to the NICU where Sami was cared for and other hospitals. For any donation of $25, I will send you a Sami hat (perhaps you are expecting an addition to the family or would like one for a doll or teddy bear) or if you prefer, I will donate another one for a newborn. They each are labeled as shown below.

 

 

The amount I am seeking to raise will cover the cost of two markers, GoFundMe fees and mailing of any hats. I supply the yarn and knit them. Anything received above those costs I will donate to McMaster NICU in Hamilton in Sami's memory.

 

I hope you will support me in this endeavour and I thank you ahead of time.

 

Alberta Nye