Comments on: Kerrying On: The Gray Fedora

By: Living Life With a Kind Spirit | Foxy [Whole] Foodie

Living Life With a Kind Spirit | Foxy [Whole] Foodie — Fri, 24 May 2013 14:18:44 +0000

[…] didn’t want to copy and paste it here as Mr. Patterson has a blog and the story is in full at this link. I know I appreciate readers coming to my page so I wouldn’t want to take any away from him! […]

By: Reesa Ford

Reesa Ford — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 20:29:43 +0000

What a moving lesson. It brought me to a more humble place. Thanks for sharing.

By: Lynn Stephens

Lynn Stephens — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 22:28:14 +0000

Kerry,

I hope you don’t mind my using this story as a way to talk about forgiveness to a co-worker who was struggling with a man she knew who had served time as a child molester. While his actions were deplorable, he has paid his debt to society, and is no longer involved in those kinds of activities. Those are hard things to deal with, but for someone who has overcome serious problems, most only ask an opportunity to prove themselves. God bless you for your stories and the lessons they teach us all. The Gray Fedora will remain as one of my icons.

By: Mellie DeYoung

Mellie DeYoung — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 08:38:43 +0000

I love your stories. What an important lesson to humanize a member of the masses, especially one that needs help, or is causing a problem.

By: Marwa

Marwa — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 05:08:54 +0000

Thanks, I really learned from this 🙂 please keep on the beautiful writings..

and thanks again

By: Anne

Anne — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 17:40:01 +0000

Okay, Kerry, you hooked me in again!I had a recent experience close to this. Here in Olympia, I live close to downtown, in a “forties” neighborhood with all sorts of old trees, young and old, houses in transition from good to bad. Several months ago, my husband came running into the house to tell me of a man down on the sidewalk. As a nurse, he thought I could help and he would dial 911. I ran (as much as I can at 57!) to the gent’s side and noticed he is one of the local “bicycle bums” or “burnouts” recognized regularly in our hood. I remember my calling–“…this could be me; I was luckier than him”. This is tough stuff for me, as my first marriage I bailed out of–he was a “functional” alcoholic. I digress. I tried my best to assess him, to see if he had a head injury, if he was on medication, if he had a seizure disorder. I could smell the alcohol, even though it was 1 p.m. Once the fire department arrived (yes, with a hook and ladder in tow, much to the concern of this taxpayer!), they informed me they were familiar with the fellow. They spoke to him in a condencending manner and were basically content to let him stay on the cold sidewalk. I advocated for the guy, reiterating his request to go to the hospital. I found my attitude had changed; this could have been my first husband, loved by many but tolerated by few. I have since seen him bicycling about several times since this happened. That’s okay by me. I don’t mind that my taxes helped him back on his bike. So be it. As the saying goes, the only person I have control over is me. By the way, I remember my dad and grandfather’s fedora’s, too. I think they were functional alcoholics as well but the 1950’s was a time of this being the norm rather than the exception so who knows? Thanks again for another great read.

By: Barbara Hauser

Barbara Hauser — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 11:32:03 +0000

Kerry – this is exactly message I needed to guide me through the next few weeks of work and life. We’re all under the Fedora at one time or another, right? I’m inspired by you to connect and engage with the people I come into contact with instead of just gliding by grateful I’m not the one in the ditch.

By: ron

ron — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 04:15:26 +0000

My Friend,
I’m so glad your article reveals to so many the heart we know so well. Though your beautifully crafted story does a marvelous job of teaching a powerful principle, we who know you well have always thought your most poignant sermons to us have been taught by the loving life you live.
Ron McMillan

By: Karin Syren

Karin Syren — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 20:32:03 +0000

Bravo! You leave little else to say. What a necessary reminder to us in an age of faceless, nameless masses. We are one and all precious!

By: Barbara Swink

Barbara Swink — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 19:01:18 +0000

Dear Mr. Patterson,
I have been trying to find the words to respond to someone who recently questioned and ridiculed me for helping a friend who has been recently not as kind and responsible as they had once been to her loved ones due to an addiction. Your story, and remembering all the wonderful deeds that my friend was once known for have inspired me to respond now.
Thank you for sharing your story and reminding us all that we are responsible for each other.