I'm so sorry you still feel this pain over losing Sambo, but I understand it completely.
I hope you can find some comfort in knowing that Sambo had a wonderful life with you, and he'll be over-joyed to see you again some day.
I feel that way about my kitty family, too; I look at the faces of the youngest ones (they're 9 months old) & it kills me to think that someday I'll lose them. There are times that, like you, I'd give anything to hold Belle or Tucker or Daisy or any of my other long-lost fur-kids just one more time.Sadly, I assume I will have to see every one of the 12 kitties I have now cross the bridge before leave this life
I hope you can find some comfort in knowing that Sambo had a wonderful life with you, and he'll be over-joyed to see you again some day.