Heather Fahy's Validation with her son Patrick through Pauline Mason

On the September 2nd HPH Gallery Reading, Pauline Mason started by mentioning a young man with lots of interests, first childhood drawings, loving, kind, helpful, athletic and a tent. What narrowed it down to Patrick was a family pen.  His Great Grandfather's work pen that has been framed, which was passed to his Grandfather, then to his father and then to Patrick and his brothers Tom and Collin with their fathers passing.

Patrick is an incredible athlete and could pick up any sport with ease. He always insisted he was

invincible and lived life to the fullest. He is a jack of all trades following in his grandfather's footsteps he could fix and build anything.

She mentioned a special place that the family goes to visit. I put in a large perennial garden in his memory where we spend time with Patrick every day. 

Yes we all love to sleep under the stars and Patrick has many, many interests and loves the outdoors. Patrick, an avid hunter, spent many mornings trekking out into the forest before light with only the stars guiding him. Patrick, his younger brother and I - our happy place is in the backcountry. We have spent months over the years traveling across the countryside; Alaska, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, the Dakotas and many places in between - the more remote the better! 

Patrick grew up near the water with grandparents having a house at the Cape in Massachusetts and living near a lake he was near the water all the time whether it be swimming, boating & fishing in the summer and winter months. He was never far from the water.

Pauline mentioned his first drawings. I had recently been going through his treasure box looking at his drawings. Before he passed we had been searching for the drawing his aunt had done for him when he broke his femur at 3 years old ! I had just recently located. We were at a rental in Maine, on a lake! We had gotten a great deal of rain and the water was really close to the house. I was worried about him going near the water so when I brought a bag to the car, we were packing to leave, I insisted he remain on the deck to be safe.  Well, there were ducks in the water & he thought he would see if he could fly like the ducks ! He did not succeed and broke his femur! As a 3 year old in a cast from his toes to his armpits he never complained once ! However upon our return to Connecticut after an extended stay at a  Maine Hospital and 8 hours of transportation by ambulance to get home - his first morning at breakfast his reply was " I didn't order this"!

 

Yes, animals have always been a part of Patricks life. I was an equestrian competitor so the boys began riding their ponies before they could walk. We have had sheep, pigs, chickens, quail, cats and dogs to name just a few ! Yes there is a tractor ! He was the only one other than  my father that could drive the farm tractor and run the brush hog. She mentioned a man in a vest being near him & that would have been my father who Patrick has followed in his footsteps with the ability to fix and build anything. Yes his nails were short as they would be worn down since he was always fixing something and yes dirty! It made me crazy when he would be working on a car and would get the engine grease all over his hands. My dad, his gramps was exactly the same!

Yes Patrick is still naughty but still all in good fun! Pauline asked if I could feel him close and the signs he shares.  Well, I will not be devastated if he would cease sneaking snakes into the house ! I sleep with the car keys in the bedroom as he loves to set the car alarm off numerous times in the middle of the night ! He is very skilled at playing with the lights and  certain songs to let me know he is near. 

Patricks friends have remained close, he cherished all his friends. One in particular, he and his mother have taken us under their wings and always check on our well being. Jack is now Patrick's younger brother's honorary big brother doing all the things Collin & Patrick used to do together. Collin had just been wearing Patricks boots and yes - all of Patrick's belongings are still home with us where he had them.

Pauline I thank you so very much for such an incredible visit with Patrick! You made my day  and helped my heart feel a little less broken hearing from him! I am so thankful for being led to this group and  all it has to offer !!!!