Patrick
I haven't blogged in a month and now they are overflowing. Patrick is my cousin and I had the pleasure of reconnecting with him this past weekend. Here is what I remember of Patrick. When he was first born and younger, we heard our mother talking all about him. It was her younger brother Vincent who had his first child-and a baby boy-which Mom nor her sister had, so it was a big deal. Then we got to meet him. I remember I was seven at that time and I was so taken with the baby. (As is Keera now with his baby girl-Finley. She is all sad because she wants a baby sister-not going to happen Keers). I remember Gonnie (my grandmother) saying that in seven years, when I was 14 and he was 7, he would be enthralled with me.
Now, I can tell you for a fact that he was not enthralled with me. At age 14, I would spend my summers at Patrick's house (as I was most appreciative of Aunt J. and Uncle V. for having me and treating me like one of their own-curfews and all). I remember that little seven year old voice, speaking as quickly back then, as it does now, only much more high pitched. He had the cutest little Irish face with freckles and as I remember it, blond hair. He also had that little seven year old boy teasing in him...I remember his "enthrallment", as my grandmother put it, included telling me I had pimples and calling me fat.....yes little boys are quite the dickens. That was a whole set of memories including going mini-golfing with him and Chris and the movies, etc. Good times.
The next memory of I have of Patrick is at my wedding, believe it or not....only a precious person to me could have a memory from one of the most important days in my life. He was turning 16, so we had them do the Beatles song "Today's it's your birthday". We had him out on the dance floor singing to him.
After that, I went on to have a family and settled in our house in So. Meriden. Bob had a poker game night at someone's house and low and behold I get a call from Patrick. He was in college at that time and he said to me, "I am in Hartford, can I come visit with a friend?" My response was "Of course". He had a friend attending college in Hartford and he brought her to visit me. I was so impressed and so glad to see him. Later on in time, that friend went overseas and had an accident. I remember Aunt J. talking about the funeral. I thought that was the one for Patrick, but apparently there was another one to come (happily for sure now).
The next memory is a very fond one. Traveling along in time, my life definitely continued, as I had three children. The cousins got together in Lake George New York. Patrick must have been 23ish. I had the kids ages 2,4,7, I think. Everyone was leaving, except us because we were staying a whole week for vacation (everyone else was there for a weekend). But, Bob had to go back home for a job interview. He decided to switch jobs and of course, the interview was scheduled for a day right in the middle of our vacation (story of my life). Brett was hanging around one more day with his wife and baby daughter. I was sad from having to say goodbye to everyone, Bob was not there and Connor was having a rough weekend....so I was an emotional mess. I remember that Patrick stayed an extra day and I am pretty sure he did it to hang out with and help me out. I remember being so touched and feeling so much sisterly-brotherly love for him that weekend.
Wow-lot of Patrick memories as I think back in time.
Time went on to seeing Pat at family weddings...Mexico.....and then attending his wedding. And now he has a baby girl of his own. I asked Patrick and Liz to be Keera's godparents-great decision. I only wish she got to see both of them more.
This past weekend was a get together during which I was able to talk to Patrick and I will tell you that he is one of the smartest, wittiest, confiden sons of an Irish gun that I have ever met. He told me stories and basically gave me advice (I think something he does quite often now) on current things happening with my career. I don't need to go into detail except to say that I never realized (how would I) that not only was my cousin a sensitive and wonderfully kind, funny man, but he was sharp in his thought process too. I don't even know if his own mind can keep up with how fast he says what he says. He is an incredibly cool story teller to listen to. You find yourself dazed and hanging on the next word he is going to say.
I would love to sit down with him and really talk about deeper stuff like what motivates and inspires, drives people. It would kindo of be like talking to Daniel Pink (I think it is), the author of Blink, Drive, The Tipping Point. All three of those books were so cool.
Here is something he doesn't know about that conversation. Five years ago, we went to Mexico for Amy's wedding. I had been an assistant principal for one year at that point. I had a non-expected conversation with Uncle Vince about continuing to be an administrator. I was a little frustrated and wasn't sure if I wanted to return to the classroom. Uncle Vince said all the right things and really inspired me to continue what I was doing for then. I ended up staying in it for 6.5 years and have become a better person and parent for it. It was taught me so many skills like being a mediator and seeing the whole picture, naturally, staying calm in tough situations, etc. Well, my conversation with Patrick, his son, resembles that conversation because at this point, I am ready for something more-being a principal, yet I am scared and hesitant. I am doing applications and interviews, but am so unsure of what the future and politics hold that if it weren't for the money (for college for my kids aspect), I would once again think of returning to the classroom (instead of moving forward). Patrick gave me the confidence that quite a few people have been slowly eating away for three years (real bad stuff happening in the district, all to protect themselves). He doesn't know anything about me as an admin, but that was the great thing. He was an objective outsider who spent the time with me describing how to get ahead. I found myself excited about interviews and looking forward to the next challenge instead of thinking....who would want me as an employee.
This must be the longest entry I have written to date (in three years), but that would be suiting for the fact that I am writing about Patrick, who can spin a yarn a mile long and a mile high-at the speed of light-might I add.
Thanks Pat for being who you are. I hope we have many more memories to share. You amaze me and again, if I could have a brother(s), you would be one of my first choices.....maybe my first choice, except for the pimple comments years ago....really???? to a teenage girl???? JK
Now, I can tell you for a fact that he was not enthralled with me. At age 14, I would spend my summers at Patrick's house (as I was most appreciative of Aunt J. and Uncle V. for having me and treating me like one of their own-curfews and all). I remember that little seven year old voice, speaking as quickly back then, as it does now, only much more high pitched. He had the cutest little Irish face with freckles and as I remember it, blond hair. He also had that little seven year old boy teasing in him...I remember his "enthrallment", as my grandmother put it, included telling me I had pimples and calling me fat.....yes little boys are quite the dickens. That was a whole set of memories including going mini-golfing with him and Chris and the movies, etc. Good times.
The next memory of I have of Patrick is at my wedding, believe it or not....only a precious person to me could have a memory from one of the most important days in my life. He was turning 16, so we had them do the Beatles song "Today's it's your birthday". We had him out on the dance floor singing to him.
After that, I went on to have a family and settled in our house in So. Meriden. Bob had a poker game night at someone's house and low and behold I get a call from Patrick. He was in college at that time and he said to me, "I am in Hartford, can I come visit with a friend?" My response was "Of course". He had a friend attending college in Hartford and he brought her to visit me. I was so impressed and so glad to see him. Later on in time, that friend went overseas and had an accident. I remember Aunt J. talking about the funeral. I thought that was the one for Patrick, but apparently there was another one to come (happily for sure now).
The next memory is a very fond one. Traveling along in time, my life definitely continued, as I had three children. The cousins got together in Lake George New York. Patrick must have been 23ish. I had the kids ages 2,4,7, I think. Everyone was leaving, except us because we were staying a whole week for vacation (everyone else was there for a weekend). But, Bob had to go back home for a job interview. He decided to switch jobs and of course, the interview was scheduled for a day right in the middle of our vacation (story of my life). Brett was hanging around one more day with his wife and baby daughter. I was sad from having to say goodbye to everyone, Bob was not there and Connor was having a rough weekend....so I was an emotional mess. I remember that Patrick stayed an extra day and I am pretty sure he did it to hang out with and help me out. I remember being so touched and feeling so much sisterly-brotherly love for him that weekend.
Wow-lot of Patrick memories as I think back in time.
Time went on to seeing Pat at family weddings...Mexico.....and then attending his wedding. And now he has a baby girl of his own. I asked Patrick and Liz to be Keera's godparents-great decision. I only wish she got to see both of them more.
This past weekend was a get together during which I was able to talk to Patrick and I will tell you that he is one of the smartest, wittiest, confiden sons of an Irish gun that I have ever met. He told me stories and basically gave me advice (I think something he does quite often now) on current things happening with my career. I don't need to go into detail except to say that I never realized (how would I) that not only was my cousin a sensitive and wonderfully kind, funny man, but he was sharp in his thought process too. I don't even know if his own mind can keep up with how fast he says what he says. He is an incredibly cool story teller to listen to. You find yourself dazed and hanging on the next word he is going to say.
I would love to sit down with him and really talk about deeper stuff like what motivates and inspires, drives people. It would kindo of be like talking to Daniel Pink (I think it is), the author of Blink, Drive, The Tipping Point. All three of those books were so cool.
Here is something he doesn't know about that conversation. Five years ago, we went to Mexico for Amy's wedding. I had been an assistant principal for one year at that point. I had a non-expected conversation with Uncle Vince about continuing to be an administrator. I was a little frustrated and wasn't sure if I wanted to return to the classroom. Uncle Vince said all the right things and really inspired me to continue what I was doing for then. I ended up staying in it for 6.5 years and have become a better person and parent for it. It was taught me so many skills like being a mediator and seeing the whole picture, naturally, staying calm in tough situations, etc. Well, my conversation with Patrick, his son, resembles that conversation because at this point, I am ready for something more-being a principal, yet I am scared and hesitant. I am doing applications and interviews, but am so unsure of what the future and politics hold that if it weren't for the money (for college for my kids aspect), I would once again think of returning to the classroom (instead of moving forward). Patrick gave me the confidence that quite a few people have been slowly eating away for three years (real bad stuff happening in the district, all to protect themselves). He doesn't know anything about me as an admin, but that was the great thing. He was an objective outsider who spent the time with me describing how to get ahead. I found myself excited about interviews and looking forward to the next challenge instead of thinking....who would want me as an employee.
This must be the longest entry I have written to date (in three years), but that would be suiting for the fact that I am writing about Patrick, who can spin a yarn a mile long and a mile high-at the speed of light-might I add.
Thanks Pat for being who you are. I hope we have many more memories to share. You amaze me and again, if I could have a brother(s), you would be one of my first choices.....maybe my first choice, except for the pimple comments years ago....really???? to a teenage girl???? JK
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