Craig Patterson Memories : The Ski Chair

March 1, 2014 - Dedication of the Craig A Patterson Memorial Ski Chair

"Again and again I have heard people say that when life becomes overwhelmingly difficult and frightening, when events happen that undermine our fait, our trust, and our happiness, when our hearts are broken and there seems to be no way to understand, explain or comprehend what we are going through, the things that are truly helpful and truly healing are love and community---- the feeling that we are not alone...that we have friends whose hearts are big enough hold our pain without judgement or aversion.

There really isn't very much the human mind can do, with intellectual explanation, psychological theories, philosophical discourses, scriptural passages, or ancient story lines, that can heal our hearts when they are broken.

But a sense of loving community can." - John Welshore

40 members of your community skied up to the summit that day with two goals in mind -- to get your dad's really heavy chair to the top of summit park peak and to making sure your mom knows that she is not alone! It was one of the most amazing sites to witness. A community parade of skiers, each taking a turn to carry the weight of the chair for a moment, as if we could in someway, for that moment, take the weight off your mom and you... it was powerful, spiritual and peaceful. With a stoic demeanor, your mom dedicated this special chair by reading the quote above by John Welshore. There could not had been a better way to capture this event, this community and what your mom has been going through. She choose it perfectly! With this chair, we all have a special place to go spend time with our memories, our love and our overwhelming loss of your dad. Let it stand through time as a constant reminder of his spirt and of the community, that I am confident he built as a shelter for you and your mom! A shelter to cradle you both in loving arms and lasting peace.