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My Aunt Patricia,Forever Loved

November 16, 2012

My Aunt Patricia,

I have felt close to my Aunt Patricia since early childhood and even through years when we weren’t always in contact, the closeness in my heart never wavered. She has always been a pillar of strength and inspiration. In 1978 when I and my son, Jules who was 3 years old at the time, journeyed out to Arizona to spend time with our Arizona family, we stayed in Scottsdale with Aunt Pat, Uncle George, Randy, Mickey and Sean, who were living in the household at that time.

Jules and I were made to feel as if we had always been a part of the household! She drove us to my Grandmother Bays’ house in Bisbee where we stayed for a few days, telling us stories all the way there during the drive...she always thought of everyone before herself. She treasured her family, near and far and made sure all had a place in the Family Tree tapestry and her heart. I have been back a few times since and as before...always there for you, the royal treatment and then some. I have loved her like a mother and on our last visit there in September 2012 with my partner, Bob and my brother, Tom...leaving to go home was almost impossible for me...I didn’t want to stop hugging and holding her. I love you Aunt Pat and that will never change..a person may pass on to another journey in the circle of life silencing the tangible sound of their footsteps on the ground but, the love stays as powerful and immediate as ever.

Your niece, Romani (Elaine) Bays

An e-mail from our cousin in Australia

November 16, 2012

Hi Patricia,

Rosie Booker-Bays commented on your link.

Rosie wrote: "Our condolences to the family. I feel very privilidged to have gotten to know her over this past year or so and I feel like we bonded in a special way. She took the time even though she was sick to find the pathways back through time that would fill in as many gaps in my early childhood and my Father's life as she could....even going through old trunks and boxes in Grandma's house which had never been opened since my Father's death. This was how she unearthed some enlightening findings which somehow seemed to explain his emotional state at the time of his demise. Aunty Pat was real....she was never sugar coated....she didn't waste words and she always had a way of stripping things to the bare threads so we could look at the bones and then try and figure out the rest. God bless her....she will be sadly missed. Rosemary Bays."

Baby Blanket

November 13, 2012

Because Patricia makes such beautiful baby blankets and Jackson doesn't go anywhere without his "blankie" that Nana made him, I thought I would make one before my nephew Hudson was born.  Nana took me shopping at Joann's fabrics for the perfect yarn and set me up with all the knitting needles that I would need.  We headed home to get started!!    Every once in a while Nana would say to me "just relax your hands a little bit"....haha!!!  I wasn't quite as smooth as she was!  We shared a bottle of wine, LAUGHED, and knitted all evening.  Eventually George and Patricia had to head home and I was left to finish my blanket on my own.  After several trips to Joann's for instructions (they weren't near as good at teaching as Nana!), I realized knitting wasn't my thing.  Nana made a beautiful blanket for my nephew and I have a "lovely" triangle potholder!  What a fun weekend we had, and Nana blamed the yarn as the reason I was having so much trouble....suuuure!  I won't forget that weekend and I have the "potholder" to prove it!  Love you Nana!

E-mail from Nana

November 11, 2012

On Sep 16, 2012, at 8:32 PM, Patricia Bays <patriciabaysaz@gmail.com> wrote:

 

Just a note to say Thank You for letting Cameron come over here today. I was in my bedroom relaxing, listening to him play outside in the front yard. He is such a special treasure! He brought me a purple plastic flower from my own garden.  Today he found a special bug, an orange and black caterpillar, and a baby frog - the announcements I received on a regular basis with each new discovery.  I'll never forget this day.  What a beautiful family you have. I love you all, Nana

Mickey's graduation

November 9, 2012

That's Brandon sitting on the grass!  How sweet!

New Year's Eve in Rocky Point Mexico

November 9, 2012

One of my favorite memories of all time. My wife Julie and I have been vacationing in Rocky Point Mexico (aka Puerto Penasco) since we met. It's a short 4 hour drive from Phoenix to the northern tip of The Sea of Cortez.  One year in 2006, I convinced Mom and Dad to come with us to celebrate New Year's as they had never been there and I thought it might be a nice time for all of us.  We had plans to attend a very low key New Year's Eve dinner at one of our favorite ocean side restaurants and I figured Mom and Dad would tire out soon after dinner and head back to the hotel early, leaving the rest of us to bring in the New Year. I was wrong.  They partied with us all night long, easily having enough energy to make it to midnight at which time, I had the privilege of watching them kiss in celebration of a New Year.  I will never forget that as my Mom later confessed to me that she couldn't remember the last time she made it to 12am during New Year's. They were both so thankful that we included them and it was one of the best times I ever had with her. I will raise a glass of champagne every New Year's from now on in her honor.

My Brother Michael's morning ritual for Mom

November 9, 2012

Every day that my brother Michael was visiting our sick Mother at her home in Ramsey Canyon, he would get up while it was still dark and drive 20 minutes to the chapel on top of the eastern side of the Huachuca Mountains to say a prayer for her at sunrise. This chapel was a special place for him and our entire family, not only for it's breathtaking views and scenery but because during the fires of 2011 that destroyed everything in it's path, the giant cross still stood unharmed.  This place personified our Mother like no other. Beautiful and resilient. My brother performed this ritual every day, without fail, no matter where he was in the world. I will never forget how much thought and effort he put into caring for her. Thank you Mickey.

Monster Trucks

November 8, 2012

There are so many memories I have of you, Miss Patricia, some of the most fun ones came when Randy was down in court and we would sit and swap stories about our kids...well, my Joseph, and your children and sweet Chad!  I remember all the advice you gave me about raising a boy, and how much you adored Joseph.  But my fondest memories are of you and Joseph: I remember how intently you would listen to him tell you about the monster trucks he went to see, and who the drivers were, and the crashes they got into, and you listened with such interst as he described some of the most mundane details about these trucks.  It just made me smile, it still makes me smile.  He still has the blanket and pillow you made for him, and will cherish it a little more tonight as he remembers the love of monster trucks you both shared.  :-) 

We will miss you dearly, Miss Patricia, but we have comfort knowing you are with our Lord and in a much better place.

I am blessed to have had the chance to get to know you and call you my friend.  

Lots of love, 
Always,

Alicia & Joseph

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