Breaking Ground, Creating Change
Gregg Patterson

My son Sam Patterson was barely nine years old when he died, yet I believe life’s events are orchestrated as needed – things happen for a reason. Sam was born to do what he did; “Firsts” happened to Sam. He didn’t wake up in the morning and plan them … they just happened.

Sam was connected spiritually. This made his life’s journey spiritual. He loved to pray. His eyes shone and his face lit up when we talked about Jesus, and he would squeal with excitement when told that Jesus loved him. During our family’s nightly prayers, we would discuss world events in a way that made them real to our boys.

One night when Sam was about four years old, he said he’d learned in school that it was against the law for people in China to have Bibles and know Jesus. From then on, he prayed every night for the Chinese people.

A small boy with innocent and honest intentions can create big things. Deep into Sam’s illness, the “Bibles for China” project was started by some friends who knew of Sam’s concern. It is an ongoing project in his honor and memory. There is a “Bibles for China” billboard on I-30. Funds flow through the Mosaic Church.

Sam had very deep thoughts; dying children are wise beyond their years. During the spring of 2001, when he was six years old, Sam asked if he could be baptized. It was his idea; he wanted it. We made the arrangements with our pastor, and had the most wonderful ceremony. The greatest thing I was ever able to do with Sam was baptize him.

Sam chose his own time. One day, for no apparent reason, Sam told us he was “going to go live with Jesus and Mama Sue” (my wife Bobbi’s mother who had died six months earlier). Not long afterwards, on Jan. 26, 2002, he was diagnosed with metachromatic leukodystrophy. We were told to expect a long, debilitating process, as is typical for this disease, but he surprised us. It wasn’t quite two years. I asked a doctor why people with this disease decide to stop eating or drinking — he told me some intuitively know how to choose their own time.

Although we never officially sat down with Sam and talked directly about his illness, it was out in the open anyway. From a spiritual sense, he knew he wasn’t going to be here long. One day he and several friends were all piling into my truck - a big step up off the ground. Sam was frail and having trouble getting up into the truck. One of the boys yelled at him to “Hurry up!” and another immediately said, “Don’t rush him. He has a disease, and he’s going to die.” And another said, “Hush. We’re not supposed to tell him.” Sam didn’t really react to this … he was already well aware.

In February 2002, the Arkansas Make a Wish Foundation granted a wish to Sam. Even though the foundation had never granted a wish involving international travel, and even though Warner Brothers Studio had a standing policy not to allow studio visits of this type, Sam’s life of “Firsts” continued when his wish to meet Harry Potter came true. My wife, Bobbi, and I accompanied Sam to London, England and the studio set where assistant producer, Paula DuPree, met us. Sam got the royal treatment. He watched the filming, met the cast, sat in the director’s chair and got to direct a scene, yelling Action! and Cut! And, most importantly, he met Daniel Radcliffe, aka Harry Potter!

Sam’s charming personality and charismatic ability to draw people close to him captivated everyone, including Director Chris Columbus. Following Sam’s visit, Warner Brothers created a program specifically designed to grant wishes for Make A Wish kids – another “First.” Sam had set the bar for future tours. Warner Brothers’ policy changed, and in 2004, wishes came true for 24 kids!

People were attracted to Sam. Children often look up to their parents, and it’s not unusual to hear a small boy say, “I want to be just like my dad.” But as a father, I only WISH to have the influence my son did. I want to be like Sam.

Sam’s brothers, Bennett, 12, and George, 5, were wonderful caretakers for Sam. Bennett kept Sam company, laying in bed and watching cartoons with him. George once told me, “I try to take care of Sam. I try to move him, but he weighs a lot, and I’d drop him, Dad.” They love Sam. However, as Sam’s illness progressed, caring for him took more and more time and required concentrated energy. Eventually we decided that Bobbi and Sam should move into a small apartment, so she could give him her full attention.

It wasn’t long after that Bobbi realized she HAD to have help. Sam needed to be in an inpatient setting. When Bobbi called Arkansas Hospice in August 2003, she was told they had never served children. Dr. Reed Thompson, medical director, was concerned about meeting all the needs of a young child. But we had no other options. Bobbi was insistent out of necessity and Arkansas Hospice responded to our need by bringing in pediatric specialists from Arkansas Children’s Hospital and Little Rock Pediatric Clinic. Sam was admitted to Arkansas Hospice’s Little Rock Center on December 10, 2003. He died December 26th. My biggest regret is that we had so little time in hospice … it was just too short. It happened so fast.

Sam was the first pediatric inpatient at Arkansas Hospice. The hospice experience was wonderful. Bobbi loved those two weeks. She could concentrate on just being with Sam. Sam loved it, and his brothers were cared for, too. Best of all, I got to spend time with all of them that I wouldn’t have otherwise. If it can be said that a good has come from Sam’s death, it would be that I am painfully conscious that every moment with my boys and their mother is absolutely precious. Life’s irritations and challenges are now viewed through this lens. Many things that bothered me three years ago are nothing now … irrelevant.

It is my great wish to help make it possible for other kids and their families to have the same care and experience Sam and our family had with Arkansas Hospice. I asked Dr. Thompson how I could help make it happen and told him “You’ve got to keep doing this for kids … you’ve got to have an inpatient place for kids at your hospice.” It would be a natural, since Sam was the “First.”

Editor’s note: Arkansas Hospice would like to thank Arkansas Children’s Hospital and Little Rock Pediatric Clinic for collaborating in Sam’s care. Sam continues his tradition of “Firsts” - paving the way for other children and families who seek this critically important care. Arkansas Hospice has served two children and their families since Sam’s stay in our Little Rock Hospice Center.