A service to celebrate the life of my dear, sweet husband will be held this Sunday, January 17th, at Traders Point Christian Church. Service will begin at 5pm, but doors will open at 4pm. For those unable to attend but would still like to view his memorial, the service will be live streamed at TPCC.org. Flowers may be sent to Traders Point Christian Church or in lieu of such, donations can be made in Andrew’s honor to Be The Match, (donations can be made online here or can be made at the service). We will also have two tables set up at Traders Point to sign up to join the registry in Andrew’s honor. This is a cause so near and dear to our hearts and one swab of the cheek can save someone’s life. We have no idea how many to expect as we are sure that many will want to come and join in the celebration of this wonderful man, but there will be another sanctuary in the church open with a large screen streaming the video for any overflow of the main worship area, as well.
I will write further later, once my mind can stop racing and the pain isn’t as fresh, but I do appreciate all of the kind words and outpour of love and support. Admittedly, I can’t read or watch it all; both because of the incredible amount of things out there but also because it hurts too badly. Many ask “how are you doing?” and the honest answer to that is that I am awful. I’ve lost the love of my life. Every day gets harder because it’s a day more since the last time I’ve seen him or felt his arms around me. Truly, just the worst days of my life. But I am holding onto hope in our Lord and Savior for I know that He is good, no matter what. I don’t believe that God orchestrated this devastation in my life, but I know that He will use it for the Kingdom. I miss my love every single day and I cannot wait for the day that he greets me at the gates of Heaven, ready to give me one of his giant, crushing hugs.
“I believe in the sun, even when it’s not shining. I believe in love, even when I’m alone. I believe in God, even when He is silent.” (CS Lewis)
Traders Point Christian Church
6590 S Indianapolis Road
Whitestown, IN 46075
Kicking Cancer with the Smiths 
I continue to pray for you Samantha and ask God to please wrap His healing arms around you and bless you with His peace, comfort, strength, and healing powers. Your love story reminds me so much of my son and his wife. They were together all through high school and college, getting married the month after graduating from Ball State. Just as in your case, they make each other whole. Lean on Him and all those around you to help you get through these next days and months ahead.
God Bless.
My heart just aches for you. I’ve known great loss and I’ve known great love and miracles. You just have to keep going and trust that God has a plan for you. And his plan may not be what you expected, but your faith in him will help heal you. You will always have Andrew with you.
Is this Andrew tht had the bone marrow transplant? I had no idea he passed away. I am so very sorry. I must not have been getting the post. May God wrap his loving around aound you and draw you close. Our prayers are with you.
I have been following this blog since it started. Throughout everything that has happened, and especially now, the grace and honesty you have displayed is astonishing. I know things will improve, but very slowly. My prayers are with you.
I am so sorry for your loss. I know the next few days will be really sweet for all the love and compassion people will give you and Andrew’s family, at the same difficult for the grief you share. I will keep praying for you for comfort and peace and know that you are never going to be alone with all the love and support you provided for Andrew it will be blessed upon you, I just know it and believe that in my heart.
Love in Christ
Michele
I am so very sorry for your heartbreak. Praying for your peace, comfort and strength and that in your times of greatest pain, God puts just the right person in your path to help you.
Samantha we are here temporarily for some reason or another life is taken away from us. I can’t say somebody dearly has been taken away from me ,because I was born an orphan in a 3 world country never marry ,never had a birthday or christmas to celebrate or nobody close I could have share my life with. I am in my 80’s good health live along yes , but I am not lonely the lord is with me as my father and Virgen Mary as my mother. I use to question my self why was I born this way but no more . Samantha feel joy what you had and have thank god that you have mother & father and friends around you that can confort you. may the Lord be with you, thank you
I admire your courage and am so very sorry for your loss. God bless and keep you through this difficult time.
So sorry for all the pain you are feeling right now. I continue to pray for you and all of the loved ones Andrew left behind.i followed him his entire career at butler and was shocked when i heard that this horrible disease was attacking him. I began following your blog and I continue to be overwhelmingly inspired and touched by you, your words and how you have handled the last few years. God bless you and continued prayers for strength and comfort.
So sorry for all the pain you are feeling right now. I continue to pray for you and all of the loved ones Andrew left behind.i followed him his entire career at butler and was shocked when i heard that this horrible disease was attacking him. I began following your blog and I continue to be overwhelmingly inspired and touched by you, your words and how you have handled the last few years. God bless you and continued prayers for strength and comfort.
I am so sorry for all of the pain you are having to go through. Words cannot really express it. I followed Andrew’s career at Butler and was shocked when I heard that this horrible disease was attacking him. That is when I began following your blog and I continue to be overwhelmingly inspired by you, your words and the incredible way you have handled everything the last 2 years. God bless you and continued prayers of comfort for you and all of the loved ones he left behind.
Sam, you are in my prayers….I knew both you and Andrew as students…but more importantly as wonderful young people…you added so much life and love to those around you, and I know you will continue to do that, even in your grief. My heart breaks for you…please know that I am pouring out prayers in your behalf…
Pauline Kurtz- English teacher CCHS
Absolutely heart wrenching, yet so beautiful. You have been in my prayers every single day. My body aches for you, and I pray that God would wrap his most loving arms around you and bring you comfort, strength and peace. Your unwavering faith is stunning and refreshing.
“Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.” -John 16:20
Simple words cannot express the depth of my sorrow for your loss. I did not know either of you and only recently learned of your struggle to regain his health. I cannot give comfort other than what you have already expressed which is that one day you will meet again and he will be waiting for you with open arms. May God Almighty and Christ Jesus Bless you and keep you and give you strength. Richard and Sherry Morgan, SC USA
So heart wrenching, yet so beautiful. My heart aches for you. I have been thinking of both of you constantly and offering prayers throughout your journey. The unwavering faith that both of you have displayed is truly inspiring. Samantha, thank you for sharing your journey with us through your writing – what an incredible legacy you are continuing for Andrew. I pray that God would wrap his loving arms around you to bring you strength and peace. My prayers are with you, and always will be.
“Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.” -John 16:20
Samantha, I have never met you or Andrew but felt the need to reach out to you at this terribly difficult time. I lost my dear husband Gary in September, 2015 as a result of Leukemia which transformed into Lymphoma – sort of the opposite of what your dear Andrew experienced. Gary was an avid sports fan – and while Purdue was his team (as an alumnus of PU) we were also great fans of Butler (our home town team) and had the pleasure of being in the audience for that incredible Final Four run here in Indy. During Gary’s treatment, we closely followed Andrew’s progress and I know if Gary were here, he would share my great sorrow to learn of such a tragic loss at such an early age. I continue to ask “why” as I know you will and I admire the strength of your faith during such a difficult period. You will realize in time that only those who have “walked in your shoes” truly understand the depth of your heartache – and having been there – I do. My sincere sympathy to you with my heartfelt wishes for comfort and peace as you go through this most difficult period in your life.
Sam, I have been following your story for a little while & was really hoping Andrew would pull through. My heart truly aches for you and the entire Smith family. I was devastated when I heard the news earlier this week. I pray that God will comfort you today and every day from this point forward. God gave me this verse to give to you: “Weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5 KJV)
I will keep you in prayer as you continue to grieve now & in the time to come. Sending love & hugs from South Florida. God bless you.
Stephanie M. (Douglas) Roberts
CCHS Class of 2001
West Palm Beach, Florida
Sam, praying for HIS peace that surpasses all understanding. Remember HE brings beauty from ashes … A former Cchs mom (Sean Morgan) so in awe of your stamina and eloquence during this season of your life.
Samantha,
I hope you have alot of comforting friends and family who love and care for you daily. I know that these days must be hard on you, but you and Andrew’s family are on my heart. I hope you are able to lean on each other to feel the peace God provides.
I say prayers for you and know that God will help you in your grief and comfort you.
Michele