Photos – Patrick and Stephanie

5 August 20185 August 2018

A Reminder of Stephanie

Sometimes we are reminded of loved ones at the oddest times and places.

Last Wednesday I drove out to Carpinteria to help a friend cut down a dead tree, to spend several hours turning it into firewood and sawdust.

With chain saws and rope in the back of my truck, I stopped at a nearby strip mall for a phở lunch.

The name of the strip mall, as you can see here, is Shepard Place Shops.

Stephanie sprang to mind, of course. I imagine she would have appreciated the new trees and fresh growth planted alongside the sign.

8 June 2018

Patrick and Nardele

I received these pictures of Patrick from Suzy a few days ago, taken at Patrick’s house in Deia with Nardele.

20 April 201822 April 2018

Patrick’s Ring

Years ago Gretchen gave Patrick a small ring, red and silver, which he wore often. When he passed away she asked me to send it back to her, which I did.

A week or two ago I was surprised to see it in my mailbox. She sent it to me, hoping that I’d wear it.

This I am doing, even here at the race track where a year ago (minus two days) I received the news of his end. Like the other little things of his that I keep close, it provides comfort–a wee bit of comfort–for the sadness.

26 January 20187 February 2018

If

A gift from Gretchen:

25 January 2018

Patrick, Stephanie, and Jack

Here’s a photo of Stephanie with Patrick and his brother Jack. Lee sent this picture to me.

25 December 201725 December 2017

Wearing Patrick’s Suspenders

Just a picture… nothing more needs be said.

24 December 201725 December 2017

Patrick and Ivonne (New Year’s Eve)

Thanks, Ivonne, for sharing this picture from holidays past. She said it was from New Year’s Eve 2016 or 2015. Aina took the picture.

1 December 20171 December 2017

Working on the Wall

Patrick and Stephanie worked tirelessly for years to repair and reconstruct the stone walls of their place in Deia. It was done without concrete, by Mallorquin standards. He told me that each rock must touch its neighbors in five places. I came across this picture in the same place I found several old letters.

29 November 201729 November 2017

Two Pictures from Ancient Times

I found these pictures in a stack of old mail from the late 1970’s to the early 1980s. I’m not sure who the clarinet player is. I don’t know what happened to the painting. Patrick thought he’d given it to Gretchen, but she doesn’t have it.

5 November 201725 January 2018

Family Photos from Happier Times

Here are some family pictures from happier times. A few of these may have been posted elsewhere on the site. Continue reading “Family Photos from Happier Times”