May 23, 2007

• More in the Life of Patrick

   

  Actually life with Patrick was not worse than with any other precocious (sp?) little boy.  I just learned early on that he was a lot smarter than I.  Once he started school I had to study day and night to stay one step ahead of him. (thank God for teachers manuals).  Once he could read it was just a matter of keeping him in books.  It became clear early on that adventures that included knights in shining armour were his favorites.  King Arthur and such tales were the stuff of which his dreams were made.

   

   He started young making swords of anything that he could get his hands on and practicing intricate sword play.  All the time that I thought I was bringing him up to be a good Catholic boy by reading him stories of the saints and their heroics backfired on me one fine day.  He and his older brother attempted to pretend to beat their younger brother to death just like in the story of St. Tarcissus.  Another time I discovered the same younger brother tied to the bed post with the wooden blocks piled around his feet patiently waiting to be burned at the stake just like St. Joan of Arc.  So much for reading them stories of the saints in the hopes of them imitating their virtues. 

  I’m sure after reading Patricks writing anyone can see that he has a vivid imagination.  It started at a young age and was fed with only the best literature.  Such authors as Stevenson, Jacques, Poe, and other classical authors entered our home and came to stay and fed every one of my children. 

   

  Patrick with the whole clan.

   

   

  The elusive author himself.

   

   

   

   

   

   

    Patrick’s younger sister

   

  His youngest brother being useful as well as decorative.

   

   

  Jason helping take down a barn.  Check out those muscles.

   

   

   

  Oldest brother.  I don’t know what’s up with the do rag. 

   

  Patrick loves hanging with his intellectual equals.  Actually little children love him because he is so uncomplicated.  He just lets them be themselves and that is the key to communicating with kids.

  We miss you.

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  • 6:13 pm
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