AFTERMATH AND PATTI'S LEGACY
We had a beautiful, informal Memorial Service for Patti, followed by releasing helium balloons that we wrote our own personal messages on before we let go of them to fly away to heaven. The service was at a Church in this big round room where you could set up chairs however you wanted them. A lot of her friends were there. Anyone who wanted to could talk about their feelings and or memories of Patti. Once I walked across the room to hold and comfort a friend that broke down in talking about Patti, telling him it was okay. The end? Not quite.
Patti's boyfriend, Wendell, his Mom was at the service. I had spoken to her before the service on the phone. We had spoken and seen each other several times over the years. I told her that Patti died from Aids and we knew (Patti included) that Patti got this vicious disease from being intimate with Wendell. We thought they were going to get married for a long time. I think Wendell's Mom was shocked at first that I was so up front about this, but not angry. I told her that, yes I was very angry at first, and at Wendell. I told her that I wished that his family would have told us about this after his death, we could have prolonged Patti's life a little longer. But, I let her know I understood why nothing was said. People/family of Aids victims carry a lot of shame and fear about telling others someone close to them has/had Aids.
Patti was cremated. Her remains were scattered at the site of where her father was born in Neah Bay, Washington. Patti's father was full blooded Native American. She lives on thru those of us who remember and love her.
Her legacy is in remembering that all she ever really wanted was for everyone to be happy and at peace.
As with all things, Patti was only 'on loan' here on earth. God decided it was time for her to return to Him. We will see each other again. We all are only on loan here on earth.
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~ ~ Updated May 4, 2003 ~ ~