Reflecting on Friendships: Thankful for Pat
Reflecting on Friendships: Thankful for Pat
I never imagined that I would become a fourth generation Funeral Director; I guess my crystal ball was in the shop some 24 years ago.
For the last 23 years I have been on this amazing journey of having the privilege of walking along side the families in our community in their darkest hours. My career has become so much more than a job or a paycheck, this profession has so many teaching lessons. The number 1 lesson I have learned thus far is that relationships are key to our lives.
I have had the pleasure of getting to know so many of the families we have served and be blessed and humbled by them. But usually my time with our families is brief, I walk a part of the journey with them, hopefully equipping them to make the next steps in the best way they can. It’s different with my coworkers, the people of my everyday. But yes, I’m happy to say that because of these many years together, I have good, deep and treasured friendships with the team of people I work with.
One of my deepest & strongest relationships is with a dear colleague who I have known for the last 20 years. We have shared our lives together becoming part of each others’ family. In the twenty years we have known each other we have supported each other in births, birthdays, weddings, divorces, family issues, life’s victories and life’s struggles.
My dear friend Patricia Kolstad (our Journey Mercies blog series author) is now transitioning out of her full-time role as Director of Community Relationships & Resources to a part time role in our company. Pat has been the pioneer & leader in our profession for education within our community. I have had the privilege of watching her create an idea on a cocktail napkin that over the last 13 years has blossomed into a thriving and incredibly unique component of our local profession. As I write this, I have a great mix of emotions that run thru my mind and heart. I am always beaming with pride when I think about how many great relationships and connections Pat has made over the years. For me personally, I treasured Pat’s consistency in our relationship.
Here are some of the lessons I have learned from Pat:
- Life is Seasonal – If you embrace life and the changes that come your way, you can over come any obstacle that is on your path. Pat decided years ago to blaze her own path and she never looked back.
- Drive – When you give your 110% everyday of life you will go farther than you could ever dream of. Your drive can transcend you and affects others around you. Not many people even come close to the inner-drive I have witnessed in Pat. You would think after 20 plus year in this profession she would let up a little, but no, this grandma is still daily pushing the peddle to the metal!
- Care & Concern – When you have genuine care & concern for others you will never have regrets about how you have treated them.
- Consistency – This attribute makes for credibility in life, this is a discipline and a choice. Pat has not failed to be there for me, her constant and intentional friendship never faltered, she is someone I can rely on and trust.
- Truth – This has a different meaning to everyone. Pat’s truth (or core) has been one of love, compassion, honesty, care, concern, and an undying love for her friends and family.
Pat, I am grateful for my friendship with you, you have been a bright light in a sometimes dark world. You have become one of my greatest mentors and friends.
Your passion & contributions to our company, community and profession are only part of your legacy. Your legacy has been defined by your thoughts, words, actions, character, and your destiny. You have arrived . . . and the journey has just begun!
Namaste (I see the divine beauty in you) my friend!
I love you dearly Pat , thank you with gratitude.
– Neil
If you know Pat you are undoubtedly better for knowing her. Share your story about Pat below, it can be anything – we just want to make her day!!
If you don’t know Pat, do you have a friend, a family member or a colleague who has taught you a life lesson or two?
26 Comments
I can not tell you how grateful I was to read your tribute to Pat…she is an amazing women who has genuinely touched my heart in so many ways I consider her one of my angels! A gift from God who at times, I beleive, has saved my life. Her compassion and kindness, her attitude and smile, and her heartfelt caring of everyone she encounters are qualities I could only hope to emulate. Thank you Pat for what you have given me. If I could be half the person you are and touch half the people you do, then I am a better person and you dear friend are the reason!
Neil,
Thank you so much for the loving and precious tribute to my Momma!! She has come so far and I am so proud to be her daughter and friend. You have been instrumental in so many of her successes. Her life has been blessed by you, your family and her career here at O’Connor’s. I love and respect you both so much, and am blessed beyond measure.
kari
Neil (Pat),
What a deserving tribute to a great woman and role model to so many. I appreciate her so much for not only what she has done for the company but for me as well. She took on a position that was merely an idea and turned it into a the standard for the industry for those bold enough to go there.
Pat is result an inspiration for her dedication to her own self development. She’s come a long way, baby.
I also admire her for her unconditional love in her work and personal relationships. You can always count on Pat to be there.
I am thankful she is in my life and only wish her all the best in the future.
Fitz
Fitz –
Thank your for your response. Bold is Pat’s middle name, remember when she was the little timid housewife from the 1960’s. Look what we have turned her into, or she has turned her self into! What a great transformation to see! We are blessed to have Pat on our team, what a great journey we have been able to share with each other.
Neil, what a great tribute to Pat! She has given me some great advice based on her life’s experience so as I find myself walking a similar path I can see the right direction to take. She is a wealth of knowledge, networks & subject matter expert- a wonderful resource for all. Thank you for sharing your love for Pat! XOXOX Carrie
Hi Carrie –
Thank you for your response. I am glad you have a mentor here at our company that can give you worldly advise and a gentle encouragement of love when you need it.
Pat,
I am grateful for you & happy to have an opportunity through this post to document it and leave you something to look back on.
I can’t remember not knowing you, “Aunt Pat” has always meant to me a beautiful, loving, generous woman who loved me especially well for not being a “real” aunt! I remember holidays at your home with the other little kids, the big stuffed animals you would give us – stuffed animals are still one of my favorite things. I treasure those memories and the fact that I’ve had such a beacon of love to me from those early years of my life. You are that place of unexpected love, I expect, and think it is right to expect, love from my parents and aunts and uncles, but many of us know or have special people in our lives who are given these special family labels not because there is blood relation but because there is so much love!
You have overcome that boundary time and time again as you are included in so many families that count you one of their own on account of the love you share for each other.
You amaze and inspire me. Your love overflows and the source of it, Jesus, shine through you. I am so blessed to call you my “Aunt Pat”.
Love you,
Molly
Hi Molly –
Thank you for your response. You have known Pat for longer than most everyone here at the company. I love the fact that you both have a great long lasting relationship. It is so awesome to see you two work together, you both complement each other so well. I am thankful for both of you.