Eulogy for My Brother Jim
This is the eulogy I wrote for my brother Jim (no relation to Patrick). Jim’s life was so very different from Patrick’s. It provides an interesting contrast in the influences I faced growing up.
Tag: John
Articles that reference John D. Dillon, Patrick’s first father-in-law.
Patrick’s Perceptions of John
This is a recording from eleven years ago today, 16 Nov 2011, in which Patrick talks a bit about his first father-in-law (John, who subsequently adopted me) as well as Patrick’s paintings and poetry, stories ahead of their time, Dori teaching reading through dance, and Patrick repeating the 11th grade. JPI’m the son of Patrick […]
Science and Art
My dad Patrick was a man of the arts with an appreciation for science. My dad John was a man of science with an appreciation for the arts. As a result, their nature combined with the artistic talents of both my moms, I naturally have an appreciation for both. All of this is a preface […]
Thirty Years Ago Today
Three and a half years ago–well, if you’re familiar with this site you know what happened. It’s no secret that I think of my dad Patrick often, and miss him, and–you know, all that stuff. Today however is a bigger milestone. Thirty years ago today my dad John passed away. JPI’m the son of Patrick […]
Father’s Day 2020
With so many different memories and images in my head I thought about writing something on Father’s Day, but instead I spent the time with family and watched little Max and his father Aaron together, glad to be part of that family, a designated grandfather through my connection with Jessica. JPI’m the son of Patrick […]
From New York to Pont a Ven (A Conversation)
This is the transcript of a 12-minute conversation with Patrick, recorded on 8 Oct 2014. Man, I love hearing his voice. The recording is way too long to post here, unfortunately, so you’ll just have to imagine the sounds of our laughter over the clinking of frequently refilled scotch glasses, the zoom-zoom noises he used […]
Hospital Visit
Today I spent a very long day in a hospital waiting room. Cheri’s sister-in-law is dying so her family is here to comfort one another, to try and arrange for hospice care so that she could go home for her last hours or days. I’m here to support Cheri. Memories are triggered, free association begins. […]
Early Thanksgiving 2019
Several friends came to visit my house in California recently, so last Sunday we hosted an early Thanksgiving dinner. It was a lovely day with good friends and good weather. (Thanksgiving is a U.S. holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of each November.) Naturally I was reminded of the many dinner parties that Patrick and […]
Revisiting: A Letter Between Dads
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 […]
John D Dillon, RIP, 28 Years Ago Today
On 22 December 1990, my adopted father John D Dillon passed away. He was Patrick’s first father-in-law, Donna’s dad, the man I called Granddaddy when I was a wee tyke. After my adoption when I was 12, my new parents and I sat down to discuss naming conventions. I’d been calling him Granddaddy but my […]
My Father Spoke to Me Today
My father spoke to me today He, whose ashes we buried JPI’m the son of Patrick of Meadows.
Warts and All
Both my dads were amazing men. Since this site is dedicated to Patrick and Stephanie, my focus is on those two, but this effort has refreshed and revitalized thoughts of John and Willie. Maybe “refreshed” isn’t the right word since they’re always in my mind, even before Patrick’s suicide. At any rate, I’ve posted a […]
Now It Is Father’s Day 2018
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, […]
Barefoot and Pregnant
Here’s the transcription of a conversation with Patrick about my mom and some other family members, recorded on 18 March 2017 in a very noisy restaurant. If there’s interest, I’ll convert the audio file to YouTube so you can hear it. Patrick: One of the stories I haven’t really worked on, but I’ve got the title: […]
Notes for Cathy
The beginnings of a story, date 4 Dec 2013, never completed. Deià was enveloped in mist, the church seemingly sitting atop a cloud as seen from Son Bauzà as we entered the village. C’an Pep Mosso was open but only the bar; the colmado was closed on Sunday. Las Palmeras glowed with interior lights, and […]