A dear friend passed away at the start of this month. I knew Patch for over 25 years and we shared many happy moments together. It's always hard to do the memory justice of someone you knew well when they pass away suddenly, it was the same with my friend The Claw in 2007. Patch's life was turbulent at times from early on but he always had a fundamentally kind and decent side which put some people to shame. I envied his skills and passions when I was old enough to appreciate them, the brewing, the skills he had with his hands. My fondest post teenage memory was spending a summery afternoon with tea and cake in his parents' garden. Patch showed me the greenhouse which he glazed personally and then went into proud rhapsodies about his home grown tomatoes. He offered me the prized back yard seat and I marvelled at the marvels of warm sunshine, peace and quiet and a nice cup of tea and cake for the belly. Anyone who holds such values in as high regard as Patch will always have my respect.
I'll admit I didn't see enough of him in later years, screaming toddlers and questioning pre-pubescent tend to take the attention. However the guilt I do feel is for not doing more than sending the occasional text and email. We exchanged photos, discussed family and Patch seemed to radiate a certain content after moving out of Guildford. I was looking forward to extending an invitation to our house so we could spoil him. So the children could enjoy Uncle Patch and he could enjoy them.
I wish I could be more erudite as I write this. All the usual truisms of an early death do not do justice to a truly lovely man. Those of us who are left can only look out for each other to the best of our ability and to share the good times we have.
Anyway, I must return to the urgencies of daily life now. Little D demands my immediate attention as she distributes her play spoils all over the floor.
A.
