I have been wanting to highlight this very special person at Manchester for a long time. Whether she remembers your name or not, Patty is a shining light at Manchester. I absolutely love all the women that have been so kind, generous, and willing to laugh at my lame jokes at Wilbur’s, Sisters Café, the Oaks, and in Haist Commons. This is my favorite group of people HANDS DOWN at Manchester… but Patty holds a very special place in my heart.

Patty is my college grandmother; she notices when I’ve lost some weight (oh, Patty *hair flip* you shouldn’t have), when I’m a little stressed, but mostly she warms my heart with her kindness and care. I have one grandmother left who is one of my favorite people in the world; she practically raised me while my parents, who work on a firefighter schedule that often caused them to work 24 shifts on the same day, were away. Being away from her while I’ve been at college (along with the rest of my family) has been a little difficult to say the least. Patty, oddly enough, slightly resembles her physically, but I swear the sweetness of their hearts are identical. I’m incredibly blessed to have found Patty at Manchester, more than she knows.

I remember one day earlier this semester I was just have a crap day and I just happened to go inside the Union (and yes, I still call the JYSC the Union) to pick up mail and I see Patty and BA-BAM! … my day instantly turns around, or at least was filled with a little more smiling that I needed. A few kind words and a smile can make a person’s day. As much as I’ve been ready to graduate for the better part of two years, every senior knows they will be walking away from something or someone at Manchester that they’re really going to miss. I’m going to miss Patty a lot.

So do ME a favor underclassmen and take care of that lady. She’s really, really special. I also want to encourage everyone to find their special person at Manchester. For some it’s a significant other, a professor, or a squirrel that they watched eat nuts for an uncomfortably long amount of time (I get it). You may not always have a support system right away, or you may feel you are alone in this place, but the special people you find throughout Manchester (and there are multitudes) are how we are able to make it through some of our toughest days. Never take them for granted.