Patrick is nearly six years younger than I am. When he was born I used to cart him around like a baby doll. He was MY BABY. When he was just a few weeks old he had to be admitted to the hospital with an infection. I thought it was my entire fault. I was too little to see him at the hospital and cried for him. When he was two he didn't speak yet because as they soon found out he couldn't hear. Thank goodness it was easily corrected with a seat of PE tubes. He was a pest at times but so sweet. Anytime he wanted something he would come and find me to help him get it. He had a baby Kermit and a pink care bear that he slept with. I would tease him at times to the point of tears -- good thing he loved me. When he was 9 he crashed his bike and split his nose to the bone -- I was babysitting the neighbor kids and he came for me to fix it. I remembered how he begged me not to tell mom. I remember looking at him and saying "Buddy you are going to need like 100 stitches to fix this". In reality he only needed 72. When I married Charles he was mad -- I was going away and he had to wear a tux!
Somehow time kept moving and soon he was driving and would come to our little house in Magna with his friends -- spelling things with my fridge magnets. Then the day came for him to be sworn into the Army. My little brother, with the brown soft fuzzy hair when he was born was going away to boot camp. It was like pictures of his life flashed before my eyes in the minutes of the ceremony. I cried because I was so proud of him. Putting him on the plane broke my heart. Here was my lil brother who was so tender with my special needs girls going off to be a man.
Time kept moving on and before we knew it the day was 11 September 2001. As I sat watching Good Morning America, doing the girls' hair before school watching planes crash into the towers. I remember thinking of Patrick and wondering where he would go and what would happen. I'll never forget the innocence in Sabrina's voice as she said "Don't worry Momma Uncle Patrick is in the Army and he'll protect us". Little did she know how many times he would go to the Middle East?
He was already and Army Ranger but wanted to learn and do more. Patrick learned how to fly Blackhawk helicopters and later Kiowa’s. He was a busy guy hanging out in the "sandbox" but always found the time to talk when I called or answer my facebook posts. He loves his nieces and nephews and isn't afraid to show it.
Patrick is home again and in love with two people. Patricia and her daughter Kira. They soon will be leaving for Alabama for 3 more months of flight school and have decided to marry before they go. On Monday I'm lucky to be one of their witnesses as they get married at the county building.
Patrick, you will always be my lil brother and I love you. Patricia and Kira welcome to the family -- you've made Patrick so happy. I love you all.
Somehow time kept moving and soon he was driving and would come to our little house in Magna with his friends -- spelling things with my fridge magnets. Then the day came for him to be sworn into the Army. My little brother, with the brown soft fuzzy hair when he was born was going away to boot camp. It was like pictures of his life flashed before my eyes in the minutes of the ceremony. I cried because I was so proud of him. Putting him on the plane broke my heart. Here was my lil brother who was so tender with my special needs girls going off to be a man.
Time kept moving on and before we knew it the day was 11 September 2001. As I sat watching Good Morning America, doing the girls' hair before school watching planes crash into the towers. I remember thinking of Patrick and wondering where he would go and what would happen. I'll never forget the innocence in Sabrina's voice as she said "Don't worry Momma Uncle Patrick is in the Army and he'll protect us". Little did she know how many times he would go to the Middle East?
He was already and Army Ranger but wanted to learn and do more. Patrick learned how to fly Blackhawk helicopters and later Kiowa’s. He was a busy guy hanging out in the "sandbox" but always found the time to talk when I called or answer my facebook posts. He loves his nieces and nephews and isn't afraid to show it.
Patrick is home again and in love with two people. Patricia and her daughter Kira. They soon will be leaving for Alabama for 3 more months of flight school and have decided to marry before they go. On Monday I'm lucky to be one of their witnesses as they get married at the county building.
Patrick, you will always be my lil brother and I love you. Patricia and Kira welcome to the family -- you've made Patrick so happy. I love you all.
Post Note : The wedding didn't happen as the flu came calling - soon though very soon :)
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