This coming Friday, September 9th, is Andrew’s birthday. It breaks my heart to not be baking a funfetti cake, finding absolutely ridiculous wrapping paper for his gifts, and writing the most sappy love letter for Andrew on this day. Though he will be having his first birthday party in Heaven (and I can imagine it will be a whole heck of a lot better than anything I ever did!), I still want to celebrate here. The best way I know how to celebrate Andrew is to love on people. So this coming Friday, I am making the day all about serving others by doing 26 random acts of kindness for Andrew’s 26th birthday. I would LOVE if people all around the world who follow this blog and Andrew’s story would do the same by doing a random act of kindness in to honor Andrew and his lasting impact on people. Let’s still celebrate Andrew and who he was. He was kind and good to the core. He was caring and generous. He was considerate and had a true servant’s heart. I don’t want this goodness to fade just because Andrew is now in Heaven. Please consider joining me in celebrating Andrew on his birthday in this way by doing a random act of kindness for someone. I will be posting some of my random acts throughout the day on our social media pages using the hashtag #Smith26 and it would make my heart so happy to see all of the ways you guys come up with to serve if you feel inclined to post and want to use this hashtag, as well.
I know this is going to be a hard day. I’ve spent a lot of hours in tears just thinking about facing this day without him here, but this is the best way I know how to continue the focus of this sweet day on Andrew and on the beautiful life he lived. Many have said it before, but I truly do want my life to look as full and meaningful as Andrew’s does. I want to someday enter the gates of Heaven and to be able to say, “Lord, I used every gift You gave me. I have don’t have an ounce of talent or kindness left in me; I used it all to glorify Your name.” I know Andrew was able to say those words and my heart beams with pride just thinking about that. Please help me celebrate Andrew’s 26th birthday by loving on people and doing random acts of kindness throughout the day. I can’t wait to see some of your guys’ posts with #Smith26 on Friday. Please share this post and spread the word that Friday we are celebrating Andrew’s 26th birthday!!! Let’s make this world a little bit brighter, just like Andrew did every day.
Kicking Cancer with the Smiths 
What a wonderful plan! Truly Jesus and Andrew are honored by your thoughtfulness to show acts of kindness to others! May God continue to bless you with His strength, wisdom, guidance and comfort.
Our love and prayers are with you, Sam,
This is the most amazing thing ever! What a perfect way to honor such a wonderful man. I can’t wait to be a part of this!
Such a kind, loving way to show your love for Andrew! What a day it will be! Prayers!
What a beautiful way to honor Andrew and God and to shine His light in this world.
Friday is my husbands first day of Chemo to start kicking Multiple Myeloma in the butt!! We have followed your story and I can’t believe how strong you both are and were. I pray we have the strength and courage to face this as you did! Prayers continue for you and we wish Andrew a happy bday in Heaven. Besides the fight we have a few things in common…we had a child attend Covenant Christian and we have Indiana Faith friends..I feel I know you both but only met you once at the Indiana Faith Cookout last year! I pray I will show the grace and courage you have had through this war!
My husband fought MM for 10+ years. His positive attitude made a huge difference. I pray your husbands treatment goes smoothly and he achieves remission rapidly! 🙏
I am joining in doing random acts of kindness. All glory to God!
What a great way to honor him! Our family will be participating!! 🙂
So happy that God can comfort you with sharing his love and joy. It will continue to bless you to see those random acts of kindness that Andrew and you together would do. I pray for you to see all of the love and joy that this will definitely create.
Love in Christ Michele 🌟
I would love to join you doing random acts of kindness…. I didn’t know him but I feel I did through your posts and through my friend who knew him pretty well, and my heart is with you…. I’ll be super happy to post what I do and will try to make your day less hard by praying and sharing…. Many blessings and prayers your way.
Sam – you are an incredible woman! I would be proud to perform random kindness and tweet for you!
God is with you and will be your strength – you already know that fact!
Hello, my name is Darryl. I am battling cancer, but I will be honoring both of you with the random act of kindness.
I am a pastor in california, and have been praying for both of you since this all started. Keep the faith, for God has you in his arms.
Blessings
Darryl
Love this!! I did the same thing last April for my mom on what would have been her 69th b-day. In her memory, I aimed for 16 acts of kindness for every year we have missed celebrating her birthday since she died.There is so much power in spreading love and kindness. It truly helps the healing process and brining meaning to life. I love that you are doing this because it is perfect testament for Andrew and his kind soul and it is a great way to get through what will be a very tough day. Count the Shrewsberry’s in & I will pass along! xoxoxo
As I read ur post and comments my eyes fill with tears as this is such a wonderful thing 2 do. I 2 will b joining everyone n doing acts of kindness!♡♡♡♡ God bless
YOU are the inspiration. Let’s honor Andrew everyday with kindness. Thank you for your inspiration.
Kim Tikijian
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What a great idea to honor and remember Andrew. Here is a suggestion for an act of kindness: Sign up to donate blood on September 29 at Hinkle Fieldhouse from 3pm to 7pm. This event is called Project 44, that was Andrew’s jersey number. You can schedule an appointment by calling Indiana Blood Center at 317-916-5150 or go on the website at http://www.indianablood.org. Spread the kindness!
[…] Smith’s widow, Samantha, is doing everything in her power to make a positive impact despite enduring a personal tragedy. She wrote in a blog post: […]
Samantha ~
This is incredible! I know you are super busy but I wanted to ask you would you be willing to come to Cincinnati to speak to our ladies group at church? I would love to see this kindness continue and would love for you to share your story and the random acts of kindness with our ladies? Please let me know if we could please discuss further!
Thank you!
Angie
Hey, Angie. There is a “Speaking Engagement” tab at the top of our blog. If you wouldn’t mind plugging in your information, that would be great. That way I’ll have an email to respond to and helps keep requests sorted! Thank you!
Wishing Andrew the happiest birthday.. I know there is a big celebration in heaven right
now..,Sending love to you Sam!
Thank you for brightening my day. I was shopping for clothes to wear to a funeral on Monday for a very dear man who has been a second father to me. When I returned to my car i found your lovely note & kindness. It was such a comfort to me & I cried for us both. Then I felt better and am now enjoying the beautiful rose at home. You are a special person and I wish you all the best. Andrew was a lucky man to have you in his life! I am sorry it was for such a short time.
[…] Smith’s widow, Samantha, is doing everything in her power to make a positive impact despite enduring a personal tragedy. She wrote in a blog post: […]
Samantha, I am a stem cell transplant survivor from AML and one day I was visiting the “unit” dropping off goodie baskets for the staff, later finding out it was the day Andrew was discharged from the “unit” after his transplant. I had been following his story and your posts, and was so hoping to meet you both that day to offer words of encouragement. And as so often we cannot know or see the reason, God had other plans. This October 8th at Victory Field, I will be participating in the annual “Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Light The Night Walk”. This walk is to honor those who went before us, those who survive, and those who are fighting, and to fundraise for a cure! We can also honor a hero by having their name placed on a star, and their picture to be shown on the big video board, to be seen by all who walk that evening. Samantha, it is ok with you that I nominate Andrew to have his name placed on a star for the walk that evening, and LLS show his picture that day, to honor his memory that evening?
God bless you with strength and comfort.
Marianne Chrzanowski
That is more than fine! Thank you for being so thoughtful and kind in considering honoring my husband in this way!
Awesome, this will be my pleasure and honor! Thank you and God bless.
Marianne