I have been slow to write about dear Pat. She has been a part of our family life since Peg and Jay and Gary and I started our families. I have sweet memories of so many holidays with our two families. Many years ago, I traveled to Madison with Connor, under age 2 (because he could sit on my lap on the plane) and Theresa 5. We had a great adventure getting to the midwest to visit the Koeneckes. Both of my kids remember Grandma Pat's wonderful house, with the garden in the front yard, with berries to pick and eat whenever they could reach them! Over the years, Grandma Pat was with us during many Thanksgivings, some snow trips, Christmas holidays and of course at Peg and Jay's house in Granite Bay. I was so touched after Peg died, and Pat was as upset and tender as could be. We took a long walk to Folsom Lake sometime after that. We sat on Peggi's bench,cried and hugged in love for our mutual missing of her. Then we walked for hours- the slowest walk in my memory! She had already been touched with Alzheimers,and she was the most "in the moment" person I had ever met. We stopped to look at every flower, to admire every beautiful cloud passing over, and to smell the sweetness of nature all around us. " Aaah, land, do you see this? Just look at this beautiful flower!!!" At least two hours of walking, holding hands, remembering Peg, (yes she definitely did remember her vividly at that time!) and just wandering together safely and sweetly. I loved her laugh, and loved her gentle, caring way, and the way she showed her love to her family, Jay, Eric, Allie and Tyler. Love to her loves now. I miss you Pat, but I am so impressed and inspired by the last message she relayed to her Lavender HIlls friend. "I am so excited about the next steps!" Wow. What a wonderful soul, released and ready for the next great step. Grandma Pat, I love you.
Maryellen (Mimi)