Patrick Meadows and Stephanie Shepard Memorial Site
Thoughts, reflections, memories, and testimonials about Patrick Meadows and Stephanie Shepard.
I remember taking off from Palma in March of last year. As we climbed out over the mountains at sunset, I quietly wept, fearing that I had just seen Patrick alive for the last time. Then I told myself that I have to replace that image with something more positive. I must try to visualize […]
The video of Patrick’s Memorial Service in Deia was posted on this web site in May of 2017. This morning I came across the words and thought perhaps I should post them too. Here’s what I found, as a PDF file. Eulogy and Service JPI’m the son of Patrick of Meadows.
Patrick would have turned 84 today. If he were here, what would you tell him? Would you have a question instead? How might he answer? Are you willing to share? If so, feel free to use the comments section below. (They don’t immediately appear so please be patient.) JPI’m the son of Patrick of Meadows.
I received this kind note yesterday. I’m posting it here with his permission. My name is Steve Benne and I just heard about your father’s death through your automated reply to email messages addressed to him. I wanted to thank you for that. I first met your father when I was in my mid-twenties (1988-90) […]
Here in the U.S. today is Father’s Day. I was lucky. I had two dads, Patrick and John. I lost John in 1990. I still grieve for him, look at his self-portrait and the things he gave me, and ask questions that he can no longer answer, but that loss has lost the harsh edges, […]
One year ago today, at this race track, in this tower, with these cars on course, I lost my father. Now, snug in his undershirt, carrying his satchel, with his ring on my finger and his love in my heart, while stewarding the Red run group, I think about all that has transpired since that […]
A letter to Patrick, written one year after his death, but not shared on the website until much later.
Darrell Jonsson from Prague sent this wonderful story and gave permission for me to share here. It encompasses almost 40 years and everything that Patrick loved: Stephanie, music, Deia, and writing. I’ve included some of Darrell’s affiliations at the end, since, as he says, “it gives some context of where I’m coming from.” Was very […]
Here are some pictures from the USA memorial for Patrick and Stephanie on 21 October 2017. JPI’m the son of Patrick of Meadows.
I sat at the piano a few minutes ago, as I do too infrequently, teasing and hammering the keys into giving up some sort of acceptable sound. I drifted through a few pieces I commonly abuse like Beethoven’s 7th/2nd, Linus and Lucy, a six-note blues riff, and Erik Satie’s Gnossienne #2. A memory suddenly came […]
Today was a very special day here in Cincinnati, Ohio. We met this afternoon at the cenotaph for Patrick and Stephanie, in the Shepard family plot. In addition to Stephanie’s immediate family (brother Tate, niece Alison and her husband Evan, nephew Carl and his wife Brittany, Stephanie’s son Tim and his family Kelly, Zoe, Nicolas, […]
I just wanted to tell you that the website you’ve created and all the things you’ve been writing are lovely. I’ve been reading some periodically, and just now read the last thing you wrote about going to Ohio. The whole site is a wonderful tribute to your dad, and to the shared experiences, the love […]
In just over a week I fly to Ohio to say goodbye to Patrick one more time. These moments are telling in the way they deliver both sorrow and joy: sorrow for the loss of a father, joy in the company of people who come to honor him. This is also another one of those […]
I’m leaving soon to the Prescott Rally, one of those “Activities of Daily Living” that psychologists talk about as part of the healing process, at least if you’re an active competitor in the sport. I’ll share this brief memory, then move on. One of my happiest times with Patrick was the time he came to […]
Here is the program for the memorial concert held on the 13 September 2017. In addition to the works listed, the orchestra played two encores: Tchaikovsky’s Elegy in Memory of I. Samarin and Piazzolla’s Libertango. The last piece was a brilliant choice, an uplifting, energized way to end the concert, a dynamic way of celebrating […]