Patty gave me one of my favorite lines ever...

We worked together both at Sullivan-Payne and Nintendo.  Patty always dressed nicely, regardless of the dress code.  I dressed nicely at Sullivan-Payne as it was required, Nintendo was a bit more relaxed so I dressed appropriately, which is to say I migrated to jeans and t-shirts.  I always wore t-shirts from vacations and various places I had been.

One day I came in with one of my shirts and probably it was a bit obnoxious looking and Patty said...

"Do you own any shirts that you can't read?"  I probably was ticked at the time but I have shared that story so many times when someone comments on a shirt of mine.  It was classic as was she!!

Patty married into our family and we have all been blessed as a result.  She made sure to include us at family gatherings - birthday parties, Christmas eve.  It was important to her to keep the kids connected to us.

Once I admired a scarf Patty wore.  Without my knowing, she went out to buy me one (because she was worried it would sell out before I had a chance to shop).  A simple act of kindness and genorsity. 

A more selfless act occured when my mother (Obachan) was sick a couple years ago, Patty would take the time to vist and cheer her up with stories of what she was doing, what the kids were doing and just having conversations that did not focus on health issues.  A great distraction for my mother.  And, Patty would bring or cook tasty dinners (she was a wonderful cook) to encourage my mom to eat.  When she found out mom liked her chex mix... she would make and deliver multiple ziplock bags full.  Same with cookies.  Patty brushed off any thanks saying it was nothing.  It was not and is not nothing - I will never forget her care and kindness.

Miss you Patty... 

This May, my boyfriend and I took a trip to Las Vegas and I had spent more money than I had originally planned.  When I got home, I seeked my mom's advice about finances. After crying to my mom about the stress of money, my mom thought she could remedy my financial stress by offering me her $500 gift card to Nordstrom.

"Lauren, it's OK.  I have a $500 gift card to Nordstrom that you can have!"

"Thanks, mom, but a $500 gift card won't pay off my car payment and my credit card bill for the month."

This is just testament to my mom's selflessness, big heart, and sometimes hilarious ways of solving life's problems.