MUCH HAS BEEN SAID ABOUT SAM RECENTLY. AT HIS CREMATION, THE CELEBRATION OF LIFE, THE INAUGURAL SAM POUNTNEY CRICKET MATCH LAST YEAR AND I'M SURE MORE WILL BE SAID AT THIS YEARS GAME IN AUGUST.

HE WAS, WE KNOW A VERY TALENTED CRICKETER, HAD AN EXUBERANT PERSONALITY WITH A WICKED SENSE OF HUMOUR. HE WAS GENEROUS, LOVING, THOUGHTFUL, COMPASSIONATE, KIND AND EXTREMELY FUNNY

LITTLE HOWEVER, HAS BEEN SAID ABOUT YOU

HIS OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS, HIS CLOSE FRIENDS AND HIS LOVED ONES AND HOW MUCH BOTH SAM AND WE VALUE YOUR LOVE & FRIENDSHIP

SAM WOULD HAVE WANTED US TO THANK YOU ON HIS BEHALF FOR PLAYING A MASSIVE PART IN HIS SHORT BUT FUN PACKED TIME

FROM THE SWINGS AND ROUNDABOUTS OF BEING A LOVING BROTHER TO A SISTER

TO THE COUNTLESS FUNNY MEMORIES OF BEING A FRIEND AT UNIVERSITY

TO THE TIME WHEN HE CHASED DAN IN THE FIELD BEHIND HIS HOUSE, AS DAN LAUGHED, GIGGLED AND WEAVED HIS MERRY ....VERY MERRY WAY ROUND

TO LAUGHING UNCONTROLLABLY WHEN UNCLE EWAN FELL IN THE RIVER

TO AUNTY WILSON, BARNEY RUBBLE, FLASHER ANGIE AND THE EASTER BUNNY'S MUMMY & DADDY

TO HIS SPIN TWIN.......TIM

TO WENDY AND DAVE FOR THE SUPPORT ON THE LONG HOT SUMMERS AND TORRENTIAL RAINY DAYS AT THE CRICKET FIELDS OF FAR AND WIDE

TO SUE AND STEVE, WHO SAM SAID WERE VERY IMPORTANT AND STILL ARE

TO THE SHOWS AND PERFORMANCES AS KIDS IN AUNTY DEN'S FRONT ROOM WITH KATIE-JANE AND KIM JONG - UN 

SAM HAD VERY SPECIAL....PRECIOUS TIMES WITH YOU ALL

SAM WOULD ONLY ASK YOU TO TAKE HIS SPIRIT AND HIS JOVIAL WAYS WITH YOU, WHEREVER YOU GO

TO INCLUDE HIM IN YOUR THOUGHTS AND IN EVERYTHING YOU DO

TO DRAW ON HIS ENERGY, HIS STRENGTH OF CHARACTER AND ABILITY TO NOT TAKE THINGS TO SERIOUSLY

AND TO REFLECT AND SMILE ON THE MANY TIMES YOU SHARED TOGETHER WITH HIM

WE CANT EXPRESS THE PAIN OF NOT HAVING HIM AROUND. IT GOES OFTEN UNNOTICED OR UNSPOKEN YET WE WEAR IT EVERYDAY

HOWEVER WE COMFORT IN THE IMAGES, THE MEMORIES AND THE TIMES.....AS IF HE WERE HERE.

WE'RE NOT ALRIGHT AND WE WILL NEVER QUITE BE THE SAME

BUT AS FRIENDS AND FAMILY.....YOU HELP, STEERS US FORWARD

AS WE PLACE SAM'S ASHES IN THE GROUND AT ITS FINAL RESTING PLACE WITH OUR DEAR ROXY FOR COMPANY

WE MUST INSURE SAMS JOURNEY LIVES ON INSIDE US ALL AND HIS JOYFUL SPIRIT HELPS SHAPE OUR FUTURES HOWEVER LONG

OR SHORT THEY MAYBE.

GOD BLESS YOU SAM, REST IN PEACE SON, TAKE CARE OF HIM ROXY.

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