Thoughts

I will try to put the South Bend Tribune Opinion articles on bicycle safety here: Cyclist’s death a tragic lesson on road safety VOICE OF THE PEOPLE On Monday the Michiana cycling community lost a good friend, Patrick Sawyer. My hope is that drivers will look at this tragedy and as a result slow down ...

I just want to thank everyone for all the support you have given.  MANY meals have been brought over, and ALL have been delicious.  We have had a lot of people in and out of the house and the meals being delivered were such a help.  Thank you to the Swanson swim team moms for ...

Yesterday evening was simply amazing!  Although it was an extremely hot and humid day, I had the chills as I watched hundreds of people of all ages pedal for Patrick.  Patrick always tried to be involved in our community, so this memorial bike ride was simply a perfect tribute to him–his community truly gave to ...

I am amazed, humbled, and profoundly grateful for this community–I am utterly astounded by the turnout for Tuesday’s bike ride!  I am receiving the most heartfelt, sincere, and supporting emails, comments, and cards.  I would be a curled-up mess in a shell if were not for all of you. I said in the beginning that ...

This morning, an email to Patrick popped in my mailbox saying, Hello Patrick, Do you live to feel the sun on your face and the wind in your hair? Do you love to be active and outdoors, exploring in vibrantly beautiful natural settings? Does the prospect of sighting a whale, breaching off the coast in ...

Oh my, God!  My family has just received news that my brother Mike’s stepson, four-year-old Carston, just died last night!  I am in utter despair for Mike and Amy, Carston’s mommy.  Amy was just here consoling me, giving me a book, “I Wasn’t Ready To Say Goodbye”. Oh, Amy and Mike, my heart simply pours ...

Can I say that Patrick’s entire funeral service was one of the most beautiful experiences I’ve ever had?  Hundreds of people who Patrick has touched during his lifetime were present all at once to celebrate his wondrous, incredible life!  Every person there brought me so much joy. My children and some of Patrick’s nieces and ...

Ted Beatty is one of Patrick’s closest friends, one he has spent countless hours paddling together.  Ted so eloquently delivered the main eulogy at Pat’s funeral.  Here are his words: Patrick Sawyer July 27, 2008 Nancy asked that I take a few moments today to talk about what Patrick has given to so many of ...

I’m crying.  I feel like dying.  I want my Patrick.  I want him there for my four beautiful children as they grow and mature into 3 young men and a young woman.  I miss his voice.  I miss his smell.  The grief just drives me wild. I want to feel his strong, warm hands in ...

Here are the words Kelly Harrington wrote for Pat.  Kelly is a good friend of ours, and she was a part of Pat’s paddling group that trained together, spending hundreds of hours on the water together. Between Pat and Nancy I have saved almost 400 email messages. I read through all of them this past ...

Today, while looking around our bedroom, I lingered by Patrick’s dresser.  The top of his dresser has always been his “untouchable” spot–where he could put anything and know that the kids weren’t allowed to touch anything on it and even I would not move anything or attempt to clean it.  It’s not the neatest dressertop–dusty, ...

Rive of Love ...

This is Mary – Nancy asked us to share what we said about Pat at the Memorial Service we had after the funeral, so here is mine: There are no words that can describe what Pat means to me.  He and Nancy have been my lifeline.  Pat stepped in to be a father to my ...

Pat Hall, my sister Julie’s brother-in-law, took several pictures and videos of Patrick’s funeral day. You can view them here. Some miscellaneous pictures of Pat can be found here Thank you, Pat! ...

My brother Joe spent countless hours putting together one long (15 minute) video tribute to Patrick which was shown at Pat’s funeral reception. I will attempt to post that video–in 4 parts–here. River of Love Sam Phillips There’s a river of love that runs through all times There’s a river of grief that floods through ...