I just got off the phone from speaking with Patricia Cronin, aka "Patty", a woman who was like a second mother to me throughout my teenage years. She in hospital in Ottawa. She's dying. It is only a matter of a few days and she will grace our world with her presence no more. Well, that's not true. Her physical presence will have passed, but her wisdom, her guidance, her wit and charm will live on, through those around her, those fortunate enough to have called her friend.
I've not sat with her in person for close on two decades, though I have certainly still felt her influence. Her wisdom and guidance were of great comfort to me in my youth. And while time and distance have seen us far apart for this past half of my lifetime, a lump in my throat still rises at the thought of never seeing her again. I cannot help but sit, wiping the tears from my eyes, overcome with a deep sadness at her departure, and yet a smile on my face, impressed at how, even now at the end of her life, she can sit and talk on the phone with such calm, steadfast grace.
She is, and always was, an incredibly impressive person. She is a good person, an incredible person.
She has accepted her fate. In time, after a good cry, I will accept her fate too, and in doing so, honor her advice to me: "Keep your sense of humor, and this too shall pass." I will remember her example. I will speak of her fondly. I will smile, and tell people some of my favorite stories about her. And when I do, I will miss her, but I will feel blessed at having known her.
She had a quote of which she asked me to take note. She shared it with me. I share it now with you:
"We are not humans beings on a spiritual journey;
we are spiritual beings on a human journey."
(Pierre Teilhard de Chardin)
Goodbye, Patty. I love you.
