What is your "why?" I heard that not too long ago, and ever since then, it’s resonated within me and I constantly tried to figure out why it stuck so much. Little did I know, it’d be preparing me to lose some of the greatest people in my life, but moreover, it’d help me understand the context and meaning of that question.
By way of Grace(Sam’s sister) and Howie(Grace’s boyfriend), I met Sam a few years back in October and I was immediately drawn to his infectious smile, love for chicken tenders(I love chicken tenders too, so we really bonded), and his love for music which is something that I absolutely love. Like the rest of the Osborn siblings, little did I know, Sam would become like a “little-big” brother to me in the most special way. I say “little-big” brother because although I’m the oldest, he had the IQ of a beast(I mean, he did have a 34 on the ACT) and anything he said, you couldn’t dare argue - he was always right.
Over the course of time, Sam and I would grow to love each other, take several trips, make weird facial expressions at each other when something went “rogue”, and figure out which songs suited our brotherhood best. I’d be lying if I didn’t say that Sam touched my life for the better. In my short time of knowing him, he taught me so much and I’m better because of him. As those who knew Sam, he touched a tremendous amount of people in his 17 years of life - those 17 years full of joy, laughter, and all the good. And in those 17 years, Sam figured out and knew his “why” and lived it each and every day.
So, I ask, what is your "why?" Is it making it your life’s mission to touch other’s souls through ministry or is it to be the next Creighton basketball star? You tell me. Whatever it is, I hope you live out your "why" as Sam did and never take anything for granted. I find peace and comfort today knowing where Sam is and know that I’ll see him again. May we always reflect on the memories shared with our loved ones and love that bounds between us.
