Leading from the front issuu

ADVENTURES WITH PAT
by granddaughter zoe hadfield
I guess you’d call Pat our step-grandfather but we always
just call him Pat. John married our mum Jo in
1996 and my brother Liam and I were welcomed into
the big Magill family.
Pat was an important, positive presence in our
lives. We moved in with him at Westshore soon after
Catherine died to keep an eye on him but it worked
both ways. He kept a caring eye on us as well. He
was great fun and often took us out for treats or to
go shopping. Whatever it was it usually turned into
an adventure.
Like the time he asked Liam and I what we’d like to
do one day. We were about 10 and 8 and “McDonald’s
Drive Thru please” was our reply. “No problem,” Pat
said, “Jump in the car.”
We pull up McDonalds and Pat asks which way to
go. “Round to the left Pat then follow the arrows.” He
doesn’t see the stop sign at the order bay though and
keeps on driving. “Pat! Stop!” I yell. “You’re meant to
order at the window!”
So around we go again, even more slowly this time,
with Pat determined to get it right while Liam and I
slump down low in our seats, hoping our friends don’t
spot us! Eventually we stop at the window, pass over
our order and finally, the burgers come our way.
Twenty years later I still smile when I pass McDonalds,
anywhere, and seeing Pat’s messages on Facebook
make me smile as well, or laugh out loud!
We’re so fortunate to have Pat in our lives. He loves
us like we’re his own and he’s always there for support,
like a real Grandad. Pat will always have a special
place in my heart.
Adventures with Pat: Zoe and Liam were keen for McDonalds take-aways. It only took Pat a couple of drive-throughs before he got
the hang of the concept.
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A big presence in our lives