After receiving an e-mail, I called the hospital in Tennessee to be told that we have lost our Dear Friend Patty, also know as 'Manjot'. It transpires that she passed away at 2.30am local time on April 15th.
Some of you may know that I had been trying to find Patty, and it was only last week that I located her. The last time I called the hospital, special arrangements were made to put a 'phone line into Patties room, and I managed to speak with her, telling her that we were thinking of her.
I managed to record some of the converstaion, which I will always treasure.
Those who have met me will know how seriously I take my friendships. Patty to me was as a sister. Many times Patty called me at home, saying 'Hi Peter' in that lovely voice and she never left the conversation without saying.....'love you'.
In many ways she helped me over some difficult times, with her never forgotten advice....'FOCUS'. We would spend easily 1 hour talking...as friends do. Our IM chats were also very deep and meaningfull.
During my time at home, I almost begged her to visit, and were it not for her illness, I'm sure that Patty would have stayed as a welcome guest in my home eventually. I offered her my spare Liverpool tickets in August, and would have loved her to have been there to meet Nee, Tony, Stan and Sandra.
Probably the last time she called, was at around 2 - 2.30 am one morning, in tears...she had been diagnosed with a blood disease, and was very frightened.
The last e-mail I had from her was dated Dec 8th 2001, and from then on I lost contact. Without going into detail, I managed to track her down, and to my sincere relief, was able to not only talk to her, but to tell her that we were thinking of her...so I hope she did not leave this World thinking she was unloved.
I wish she could have read the long letter I sent her.
I shall miss her - may she rest in the peace she deserves.
Last year I was on holiday with Jan. we'd been to 'Wookey Hole' and were lying on the grass looking at the clouds. An idea for a song came into my head, and Abby helped me with some of it a little later. Having saved the lyrics on a floppy disc, I then lost it and couldn't finish the melody or record it.
About a week after hearing of Patties death, I found the song, finished it and recorded and now I'd like to dedicate it to Pattie and my Mother in Law Edna whom we lost in December.
‘You my Dear’
By Pete Dicks with Abigail Batho
Lying on a grassy hill , Looking at the sky
Making pictures of the clouds, as they’re passing by
A gentle breeze is blowing, I shed a silent tear
For there is something missing….and it’s You My Dear
Sitting ‘neath a willow tree, by the water side
River flowing full and free, it is so deep and wide
Washing over pebbles, so cool and fresh and clear
But there is something missing ….and It’s You My Dear
Why did you have to leave me, was there something I could do?
To make you stay here with me, our days had been so few.
But who knows the hands of fate, or how we’ll feel the pain?
And now I guess I’ll have to wait, ‘till I see you again…..
Strolling on our favourite beach, sun is in my eyes
Hearing waves upon the shore, mixed with seagulls cries
The sadness never leaves me, It’s been another year
There’s always one thing missing….. and it’s You My Dear
© Pete Dicks 2001
