that year for fall break i flew out to san diego to see my sister for the weekend. patrick and eric actually wrote me letters for the plane ride b/c they were scared i would get bored without them.
once when i was sick i was laying in bed and heard the door open. i thought that either someone was breaking in, or someone was coming over to just hang out. my house was kind of a free-for-all for anyone who wanted to come over. i called out and got no response, so i decided it was a robber. i didn't really care b/c i felt so bad. after awhile eric and patrick came in my room with chicken soup. i'm pretty sure it was homemade too. i can't tell you how many stories like these that i have.
i bet you are wondering why i'm taking this walk down memory lane. may 5, 2004, our sweet friend, patrick, died in a car accident. everything about that day is so vivid....it seems like it was just yesterday.
i'm not writing this to make y'all sad. i've actually been laughing to myself remembering all the things we did together. i can smile because i know that patrick loved God. it was evident in everything he did. i use this day as a reminder of how short life is. a reminder to ask myself what kind of legacy i am leaving. it also reminds me to be thankful for my dear friends and all the memories we have together.
i hope y'all know that i'm thankful for you. all of you.
patrick used to give the best bear hugs. hands down the best. if he didn't give a bear hug he would put his arm around you and grab onto the seam on the shoulder. he would cup his hand under the seam and squeeze tight. i always thought that was so strange, but he said it was his way of giving a sideways bear hug.
all that to say
don't let an opportuntity pass you by to give your friends and family a great big bear hug.
this picture is from our trip to madison, GA (patrick's hometown). we went to see the ole miss/georgia game. patrick's sweet family took us in for the weekend. he has the greatest family ever and i'm so thankful that i can keep up with them still.
left to right is luke, carol anne, patrick, me, amanda and eric.
i love these people!
(eric...that first song is for you. i tried to find cabin fever, but it wasn't on there...i can't imagine why!)
4 comments:
Chicken soup was homemade because I remember burning my hand on your stove. We were trying to be quiet...but you remember P....he was loud just sitting there! Love you EM! Here's to the fond memories (raising tea glass)
Thanks for your comment EmG! We love you too and are so thankful for the many memories we have with you and for the ones that are yet to come. Banks has not watched Toy Story yet and we would LOVE for you to watch it with him! It has been too long since he has seen his cousin! Love you!
That was beautiful, Emily. So glad to hear some of your Patrick memories.
Em G
I, too, am an aunt with 7 nieces and nephews. But I had 8. Patrick was a joy to all of his family and it is nice to read about your memories of him. He inherited the gift of bear hugs from his grandfather, ( my dad) and Patrick was a pro from an early age.
Praying that you have the same joy and blessing with your nieces and nephews that I have had with mine.
Jill Lay
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