A Tribute – Sam Tremaine…
June last year was a very sad day for our small community, while it was only right to also celebrate and remember all the great things about Sam, it was yet another reminder at how horribly short and unfair life can be and how we need to cherish every moment of life we are lucky enough to live!
You know the sayings – sometimes life throws you a curveball, when life hands you lemons, make lemonade, etc etc.
When I was younger my family was dealt with a curve ball, my sister was diagnosed with leukaemia. We not only managed to dodge that curveball, but despite going through some of the hardest moments of our lives, we were able to pick that curveball up, ditch it back in the other direction, and now be thankful not only to still have Alana with us but to also have two beautiful nieces/grand daughters.
But for some people, the curveball is enormous. That damn ball has a tracking device that keeps it forever over your right shoulder. It won’t let up, and sometimes it even squirts you in the eye with that bloody lemon wedge.
One of the most caring families I know had this curveball flung their way in the form of cancer. Their spirit, strength and faith has been continually tested over the last couple of years, and tragically on the 9th June 2013, Sam passed away after a courages fight at age 22.
Everyday I think my self so lucky that I was able to share an evening with Sam and his family, to see their love for each other, to have many laughs and capture it for eternity in a still frame. Sam’s mother, and such a beautiful lady, Jan, arranged the session before they headed off to Adelaide to start treatment. I hope that these photographs of Sam and his family can be looked back on fondly as they share their beautiful memories of their brother, their son, their partner, their friend.
Not for the first time, I have thought – you can never have too many photographs. Whether your photos are professionally taken or a selfie amongst friends. Whether they’re candid moments, posed shots, tourist photos, funny faces, or photos of you blowing out the birthday cake – an infinite number of photos will never be enough once the person in those photos is no longer around.
So please, I sincerely ask of you, take a million photos, don’t delete a single one, never leave home without a camera and don’t discount a single moment – even the silliest things that are often dismissed can make the best memories.
I will be forever grateful that I was able to capture beautiful memories of Jan and Milty’s incredible son. The world is a lesser place without his kind soul, but tonight the stars shine a little brighter as he lives among them. Rest In Peace Sam.
Want to help the fight against Leukaemia?
Catilin Preece, Sam’s girlfriend, is being BRAVE and shaving her head to raise money for the leukaemia foundation.
A little bit from Caitlin – ” This March I’m being BRAVE and shaving my head to raise money for the leukaemia foundation. This is for you Poppa, for everyone I know & love who is going through a battle and for the people who have tragically lost their battle. But the main reason I am doing this is for my hero and my inspiration, Sam Tremaine. Throughout Sam’s journey the leukaemia foundation’s support and generosity towards us was truly admirable. This is my way of paying some back. All money raised will go towards supporting people with blood cancer, as well as millions of dollars in research. So please help me with my journey and donate towards this great cause. Sam did us proud, so let’s do him proud!”
Please click here to donate
“The winds that sometimes take something we love are the same that bring us something we learn to love. Therefore we should not cry about something that was taken from us, but love what we have given. Because what is really ours is never gone forever” – Bob Marley