A brother of mine has passed on.
I met Pat in the Scouts. He was a tall gangly Southern boy with a wry smile and an uncanny ability to make friends with anyone. His outgoing nature and adventurism was a polar opposite to my introverted world of books, music and the refuge of my room. Despite all that, we became fast friends.
From our mugging around in Scouts to staring up into the stars and contemplating the meaning of the universe (after sharing some good bud while lying on the hood of the Delta 88), Pat was always a huge part of my life.
He wasn’t perfect… but he was never cruel or conceited. He was smart and funny and his love of his daughters was unwavering. He was also stubborn and intent on pushing the boundaries.
In high school, Pat discovered The Teachings of Don Juan by Carlos Castañeda and it profoundly affected him. Throughout his life, he was searching for an alternate reality that would forge a new adventure or give respite from life’s pain and anxiety.
When I see the ravens circling upwards in the sky to find a better view of the world… I’ll think of Pat. He will always be a friend and a brother and I will miss him every day.