I am so sad. The beautiful, courageous, wonderful Sam Sommer is no longer with us.

According to the Times of Israel, Sam passed peacefully away at home, with his loving parents at his side. I cannot imagine what it is like to be Phyllis or Michael Sommer right now, and all I can do is weep.

Clicking on the picture that accompanies this post will take you to the blog Phyllis has maintained all through Sam’s illness, the various treatments, the hope afforded by a bone marrow transplant (and the brutal process that preceded it, to kill all of Sam’s own marrow – but apparently not quite well enough), the crushing disappointment when the “ninja cancer” returned. There was a whirlwind trip to Israel, pictures of the family swimming with dolphins in Florida. Then, with stunning speed, he faded away, and now he’s gone. Just like that. At the age of eight.

There will undoubtedly be many words said, eventually, but right now I don’t have any. Just tears. Hug your children, friends.