Patrick Carr

As many of you learned, during the non-memorial, I have spent many an afternoon playing music, with Pat, at Cal's bedside. Sometimes I was truly there for Cal, sometimes it seemed I was there for Brodie:) But sometimes, I was there for Pat. On days when he was tired he sat next to Cal while I played, or held her in his lap. Some days he was full of energy and we played through song after song. One thing was always true, he made me feel like he was my biggest fan. He made me feel like nothing in the world mattered in that moment except playing music for Cal. Like I was some amazing person for being a music therapist. Imagine, a man as accomplished as him, giving that sincere praise to me! I learned in the non-memorial that he was that way with everyone- just as his mandolin was there only to support my playing (he did not want to take the lead, he wanted to support me and encourage me) so too was he supporting and encouraging those around him in life. We laughed at our mistakes, learned new songs together and shared our traditional music (mine from east coast Canada, his from Ireland). I am dreading the day I return to play for Cal again. It will be so hard. But I am looking forward to being past that hurdle and continuing to play with the spirit that Pat gave in his music!