It's hard to recant a specific story that sums up Patrick and doesn't require an extensive backstory. It would be great to hear how you knew Patrick, what you miss about him, and how he generated so many friendships. Your thoughts can be short or long, detailed or vague. I'll start, but just so you know, I've never been known for keeping things brief. :-)

Patrick is the youngest of five kids. I am second to youngest and he is four years younger than me. I think having this gap in age made him always seem like the little brother rather than just another playmate. I remember begging my mom to let me bring him to nursery school for show-and-tell and helping my mom bathe him in the sink. When we were young, I could always get him to do what I wanted him to do by threating to not take a bath with him, or by promising to time him. That worked for a while, but Patrick was a strong-willed kid and he eventually caught on to my manipulation and stood up for himself. Patrick had the childhood of a little brother, meaning Sesame Street and Mr. Rogers were short-lived and replaced with the Celtics, Patriots, and of course, the A-Team. He was a HUGE Mr. T fan. He was also incredibly active. I think Patrick had a six-pack by age 5. He would rather shoot baskets with his oldest brother, Pete, than play in the sandbox. He also has always had a knack for making us all laugh and entertaining the guests. My mom always said he had a photographic memory because he could tell you what someone was wearing or a facial expression someone made years in the past. He recalled details that none of us would have thought to mention, but remembered and laughed at when he brought it to light. My guess now is that he was hyper observant and read people closely because he had three sisters and a brother that he studied and idolized from the very beginning. I think this is (at least in part) why he was so funny. He could recount these random details and moments that summed up situations and personalities, or he knew he could lighten up a situation by putting a napkin on his head or candle up his nose. There was no telling what he would come up with on the fly.  If HE was asked to tell a funny story, he’d have volumes to contribute.

Patrick always made family gatherings amusing. It is very hard to find a childhood picture of him where he was serious. He was always entertaining, making a funny pose or expression. Even in the professional family photos we have, getting him to sit still and not goof off was a challenge. I remember my mom trying to get a nice first communion picture of him. She was trying to get him to just standstill and make a nice smile, but all he wanted to do was make silly faces or poses. We do have one picture of him from that day where he is standing outside by the front door, nice and straight with a cute smile, but of course, no shoes on.

There is a huge void now that he is physically gone. I miss hearing his reactions and perspectives of random events. His stories were amusing and he always made his nieces and nephews laugh. As soon as they see him, they come into the room with a smile and excited anticipation, just waiting to have him make them laugh. He is also my girls’ marker for height. Nothing could be as tall as Patrick. I miss him so much. He liked to joke around and boost that he was awesome or the “World’s Greatest.” Of course he had his faults, and we had our fights, but he really did make this world a happier place and gave people a reason to smile. You were one of a kind, Patrick!