Rick Patrick
Columnist
From my best estimations, today would have been my mother’s 91st birthday. She was born in Thomasville, but grew up in Greenville. She and my dad were high school sweethearts and were probably the epitome of your All-American couple. She was the Homecoming Queen, while my dad was the captain of the football team.
I have many wonderful memories of my mom, but I think one of my favorites was a day in early August of 1980. I was in Tucson, Ariz. finishing up my staging and orientation for my year in Up With People. My mom and a friend of hers had flown out to Tucson for our first performances. My mom’s friend had a daughter, also from Perry, who was going through staging at the same time. I was thrilled to have my mom travel out to see me. She also brought my final paycheck from the radio station at which I was working up until the time I left for Tucson. That was a welcome bit of cash. My cast was the first cast to have our dress rehearsal, which meant I had an extra day off. My mom and I spent the day playing tourist and visiting the sites around the area. I think it was one of the few times I had ever spent with just my mom. I had spent many hours with my dad, hunting fishing, going to ball games, etc. But, that was a very special day with my mom. We went to see the silly movie, “Airplane.” When the movie started, my mom turned to me and said, “What have you talked me into seeing?” But we both laughed and had a good time watching it. We went to dinner and had a nice chat about everything that was going on with the family since I had been gone. It was a very good day. I remember thinking that I never knew my mom was so much fun.
My mom loved to play bridge. This made it nearly impossible for me to escape her gaining knowledge of anything I did, especially in school. It’s hard to get away with nearly anything when your mom plays bridge on a regular basis with just about every teacher in the school district. There were a group of ladies who called themselves the “F. and T.B.C.” I do not dare reveal what those initials represent out of fear the surviving members of that illustrious group will hunt me down. Every year, the F. and T.B.C. would get together for a weekend. I heard some of the stories of those weekends, and they could fill many entertaining columns here. I will not reveal them, for the same reason mentioned above.
So, happy birthday Sarah Patrick! I hope there are bridge tables up in heaven, I know if there are, you are having a great time. I love you and I am so thankful God allowed me to be your kid.