Patrick Eugene Ryle was my best friend in high school. There are so many stories to tell from those days that it would be impossible to share the details of what we used to do. However I will try to share this long story in a condenced version.
Pat and I bought a 1956 Pontiac Convertable for $50. I was working on the car and restoring it so we had something to run around in after school. Pat was old enough to drive and he had his dirvers license. I did not I was only 15 years of age.
One night David Garn, Richard Garn, Pat and myself (Tom Quetschke) when out pumpkin hunting becasue it was almost Halloween. We did not have any money but we knew wher there were a huge stack of pumpkins outside of Toledo. Pat drove us out to the area where the pumpkins were and he stopped next to the pile.
Richard and David Garn jumped out and started throwing pumpkins into the back seat of the the '56 Pontiac Convertable. I was riding shotgun and was yelling to David and Richard to hurry because the farmer was coming. David jumped into the back seat with the pumpkins and Richard just barely grabbed onto the car.
Pat was speeding away with Richard being dragged down the road and the farmer shooting at us with a shotgun. Richard fell off the car at about 45 MPH a quarter mile down the raod and we stopped to pick him up. The farmer stopped shooting and we drove off into the sunset.
That was the last time we ever did anything like that. As teens I guess that was fun. It was a story to tell for years to come. It seem we all grew up and found less exciting things to do. In the meantime I fell in love with Patty Garn and lost her when I went to Vietnam to serve my country. I'll never forget the friendship I had with Pat Ryle and I will never forget the love I had for Patty Garn.
I remember Eugene Ryle, Patrick's father I also remember Patrick's mother Betty very well. They were kind to me and treted me almost like a son. So many good memories about the Ryle family. I don't know what ever happened to Linda or the oldest sister but I do know they all were a part of a wonderful family. Looking back I loved them all.
I am so sorry time marches on and we all pass on. Life is about people and without the good people like Pat and his family this world would be a terrible place.
Pat and Linda bring back so many good memories for me and I wish everyone well and hope to see them again in the life beyond.
The final thing I want to say is, I know there is a life after this one. I died for almost 10 minutes about 6 months ago. No heartbeat no brain activity just a dead body. I was confirmed dead. I was on the "other side" and believe me the other side exists. I was home, I was happy, this life was finally over and what I experienced no human words can explain.
Since that event I no longer greve the loss of family or friends. I know where they are and they far beyond happy.
I don't know why I was sent back to this life but I do know I will be with everyone I lost when I am allowed to return to the "other side." There is a God and our soul continues. There is another life after this one and I am looking forward to seeing everyone I lost. I may be separated from everyone I have ever known or loved weather they are living or dead at this time but I know I will see them again in a life where there is no hate and the only emotion is eternal love.
