The Armchair that went empty on March 4th 2016 is still empty, although great love is surrounding it and embracing Pat’s widow, writer Cassandra King Conroy, who feels the love of family, friends and Pat’s devoted readers like yourself, especially today.
I have been posting some thoughts and bits of news about our common passion for the irreplaceable prince of words for years now. You overwhelmingly responded to every one of them. We are enormously grateful for your loyalty and love for the Prince of Words. Yes, Pat loved words but he loved people more. I want to share a few simple words from Pat’s writing which may sound ordinary but they exemplify so much of who he was when he wrote “Words are pretty, but anyone can talk. Pay attention to those who perform.”
Pat Conroy recognized “people who perform” in his writings, in real life through his many deeds, and often in person. He “hosted” unforgettable characters in his writings and made most of them beautiful, witty and lovable, since despite his strong sense of right and wrong, he was not a hater. In fact, he did not have the smallest bone of hate in his body. Pat’s generosity included the entire world, and despite his tumultuous upbringing and troubled past, he made peace where he could before his departure. His model of hospitality and kindness is something we sorely need today.
So let’s lift a glass in memory of Pat and in his honor remember to hold our friends a little closer.
I remember my first Pat Conroy book, Lords of Disipline 1986, having just married and moved to be with my new husband, a Coach at the Citadel. I had been to Charleston before and fell in love. The very first sentence in that book took me to exactly the location he was speaking of. If you couldn’t conjure a picture from his descriptions, you have no imagination ! I was hooked!! My favorite writer-bar none! I had a hard time reading anyone after Pat.
I was heart broken for his wife mostly, but also the world. Wish I could have known him personally.
Dear Anita, I’ll never get tired to say this over and over again: It is so lovely and comforting to see people like you posting words of love and appreciation for our Prince of Words PAT CONROY. Thank you.
I lift my glass to the memory of Pat. The writer of “The Prince of Tides” which brought a father and daughter closer. A book that I casually gave my father after relating to much of it, marshlands and all. After Dad read it, he asked me if I saw him as the father in the book, did I have similar memories? Afraid I would hurt him with my answer, I fibbed and said the second truth, “I thought the father character might have been like your father.” He said nothing which was everything. I found The Prince of Tides after my father’s death. It is the only book of his many inscribed ‘Please, return this book to me. ‘Dad’s signature ‘I liked it. ‘ I believe my father would lift a glass to Pat too.
In appreciation,
Carlee
Carlee, looking at these messages here makes me weep … everyone, of course, reminds me of Pat; I don’t get a break, emotionally so to speak but I know you all who write are in the same place with us all emotionally.
Pat sister Kathy Harvey follows these messages here and in the Guest Book. So does Cassandra Pat’s wife and Marly his long time friend for decades.
Thank you for writing and as Pat used to say “Much Love”
I still watch him everyday, he was such a great star. It was such a great loss, but I will keep watching him. This is one of my favorite shows, “Tombstone” I didn’t know he had passed until I looked him up on the internet. Made me so sad.
I can think of no greater legacy than to have been a model of kindness and peace.
Evelyn, again you. As the master said: “Much Love”
Here’s a glass to the long gray line, the ring, and all the beauty Pat shared with us.
Mike, sorry for missing this… it is so poetic… Yes, I’ll share in that glass… make it two,
Thank you.