Patrick was full of life and loved beyond measure. He was energetic and adventurous, and so so curious. I remember when Patrick had an idea to put all the waterslides together in the backyard at Fort Campbell. All the kids in the neighborhood had so much fun. It was when the husbands were deployed to Iraq for 15 months and us moms had a little moment of peace and relaxation while the kids did those water slides for at least an hour. Kristin and I were next-door neighbors and we were always trying to entertain and keep all the kids busy.
Patrick was always on the go.
He had more energy than life itself.
I loved his boyish laugh and his smile and his crazy thick hair.
He had the best hair.
He loved his mom’s Swedish pancakes that she made for us all when Gracyn, Alex and I were lucky to live with Patrick, Aiden, and baby Emma and Kristin at Fort Campbell for a while. He was blessed to have a mom who is such a great cook. She is a natural in the kitchen and we all loved watching what she would make for us next. It was a very special time for all of us.
I know Patrick liked having Alex around to bounce ideas off of each other.
Both of them have such creative souls.
Their minds were always thinking of the next great game or story.
Kristin and I took all the kids to the Redding family’s favorite place, Shenandoah Crossing in Virginia. The kids just loved swimming and seeing the horses there and roasting marshmallows.
It was a special time that I will always remember with the McGee family.
I wish we could turn back in time when life was simple like that and the kids were little and we could protect them 24/7. When all they had to do was soak up life like a sponge and learn and laugh and experience what it was like to be a kid.
For all that is lost and not experienced for Patrick, my heart breaks.
We are not supposed to outlive our children, but for some reason beyond our control Patrick was taken from us all.
We feel such heartache and loss and deep sorrow for the man Patrick was becoming.
He was finding himself through this crazy thing we call life. A bright light with an extraordinary soul Patrick was. Rest in peace, till we meet again. A family friend , Kristen Redding