I admire Patrick greatly, just as I admired John, my grandfather who adopted me.

Each of my two fathers had special qualities that I value, and each loved me in their own way.

Patrick, however, was mostly absent from my life, and from the lives of my sisters, which worried John immensely.

In contrast, John (and Willie) were ever present in my formative years and beyond.

Even when Patrick and I connected, my love for John and Willie never lessened, and my appreciation for their caring, giving nature grew as I navigated the treacherous waters towards adulthood.

Here’s a letter that John wrote to Patrick in August 1968 expressing his concern about my siblings.