The Best Thing...

It’s been an incredibly stressful season of life but the silver lining is I get to spend more time with this guy. Yet to call it silver doesn’t do the time I spend with my kiddo justice.

If you’ve ever had a minute when you looked at something you were part of and knew that it was the best thing you’ve ever done – that’s the way I feel about being this kid’s mom.

I never fail to learn something when we’re together, and the level of insight and intelligence he brings to the party is downright overwhelming sometimes.

For every mistake I’ve ever made, for every misstep I’ve ever taken, and for every future screwup that’s going to have my name associated with it, it isn’t him. He’s the best thing and the world is a better place because he’s in it. And watching him change his little corner of it is the joy of my life.

Brett Patterson...

Three years ago my big brother and I stood graveside at our grandparents mausoleum, laughing and crying as we remembered various stories and memories of our time with people we loved so dearly. Looking back at this picture, all I can think is that I’m so glad I forced the issue that day and made Brett Patterson take a selfie with me.

It’s hard to believe that tomorrow my family will lay Brett to rest less than thirty yards away from those same grandparents. That he’s gone. That the last time we talked was indeed the last time. That life has changed forever and that things will      never be the same. 

Please pray for our family. #thebrett10

Step Up and Grow...

I’m learning to prune like the rain is coming, even on the sunny days.

When we moved to Atlanta in September of 2019, a lot of the summer blooming was done. Although we experienced a very hot fall that year, things were also starting to rest and you could feel the pull towards fall in the air. I’d never experienced the dense vegetation of the humid South, so I didn’t know much of what was in my own backyard, but I knew this girl the minute I saw her. A knockout floribunda. She continues to be my favorite. 

As I studied this plant and learned more about her in an effort to try to help her be the best she could be, I realized that a lot of caring for a floribunda was going to be falling to climb. To help her thrive, I had to cut away far more than I wanted to so she could come back healthy and strong the next bloom. She and I had a bit of trial and error and I was too easy on her at first. And then rain came and it was as if mother nature laughed at me when I stepped outside the next morning and the precious limbs I couldn’t bear to prune the day before were waterlogged, bent, and broken. I thought I’d lost her and I was devastated. So I dropped back and cut deeper. And I looked at her with more judicious eyes in an effort to help her be her best. It was hard and there were days she looked naked and exposed and looking back, it turns out I felt the exact same way. 

My floribunda has taught me that I can grow in any condition. Through depression. Loneliness. Through isolation, betrayal, and hurt. And she’s also shown me that those things don’t help me thrive. Thriving takes different conditions all together. Thriving takes a hard look at the situation. Careful, prayerful, thoughtful studying. And thriving takes action. And sometimes thriving takes a bravery we don’t know we possess until it’s time to step up and grow.

Lesson Learned...

I'm incredibly grateful for this little sweetheart today because Georgia weather knows how to throw a punch! We’ve been without power since 430a but we aren’t out of the game (even though it sounds like Armageddon outside right now!) because this work horse is keeping the things I need running strong. If an alternate power source is an issue for you, I highly recommend checking out EcoFlow. This was our lesson learned after Hurriance Zeta blew through our neighborhood last November as a strong tropical storm. Sure, we’re on the waiting list for a Generac but I don’t wanna be in the dark while we wait and this won’t break the bank. Delta is also portable so I can take Bad & Co. on the road if I need to get to someone I love who isn’t nearby!  

Back to School...

Classes start Monday for me and who doesn’t enjoy a fresh bouquet of back-to-school notebooks? I originally thought I’d get my feet wet by taking two classes but I came home from Indy feeling like my brain needed a challenge so I changed my mind and four it is. And now I have a shiny new notebook for each, which totally feeds my OCD.

The Birthday Boy...

20 years ago this amazing creature blew into my life and nothing has been the same since that rainy Thursday all those years ago. He was three weeks early and I always joke it was because he had an agenda. After all, this is the kiddo who looked at me when he was 18 months old, promptly pulled his pacifier from his mouth and said “Mommy, I have a situation I would like to discuss.” I kid you not. This kid makes the world a better place just by being in the room. He’s always known exactly what he wanted, and what he didn’t, and he’s working hard to get there. Watching him grow is the joy of my life. Happy birthday, babe! 

Brett...

 

Brett Alan Patterson of Lebanon, Indiana

July 11, 1966 - April 4, 2021

Brett Alan Patterson, 54, of Indianapolis, IN, died at his home in Lebanon on April 4th, 2021.

Always one to lend a helping hand, Brett loved to volunteer in his community, cook for his neighbors, and worry about others. While he enjoyed country music and March Madness, baseball was his first love. 

Brett is survived by his daughter, Skaiste Patterson (Miami, FL), his parents Bobby Patterson and Barbara Hatfield Newsom, his step parents Jackie Patterson and Dale Newsom, and his sister BethAnn Patterson Buehler, her husband Bradley, and nephew Braden. 

Family will receive friends from 2:00pm - 4:00pm Friday, April 9 at Forest Lawn Funeral Home, 1977 S. State Road 135, Greenwood, IN  46143, with service to follow at 4:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, Brett’s parents would kindly ask that you make a donation in Brett’s name to the Humane Society for Boone County: https://www.hsforbc.org/about-us.html