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Well Wishes to First Lady Diane Patrick

Submitted by MFW on Sun, 03/11/2007 - 10:55pm.
 

Statement from the office of Governor Deval L. Patrick

BOSTON, Saturday, March 10, 2007 -- First Lady Diane Patrick is being treated for exhaustion and depression. The governor will work a flexible schedule for the next few weeks in order to spend more time with her and his family. The family asks for the prayers and understanding of the public. We also ask respect for the family’s privacy at this difficult time.

 

Open letter to Diane Patrick
 
 
Dear Diane,
 
We are proud to call you a friend. You have opened your heart and your hearth to us over the past two years. Your warmth and enthusiasm during the long campaign was contagious and inspiring.
  
Please know that we are here for you, and that you are in our thoughts, both now and going forward. It has been a privilege to get to know you, and we look forward to our reunion.
 
Michael Wilcox
and Pat Carney
 
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Best wishes.

Submitted by Becky on Thu, 03/22/2007 - 11:42am.
Best wishes.
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Diane,I have met you on a n

Submitted by Mariama on Tue, 03/20/2007 - 12:25am.
Diane,

I have met you on a number of occasions, mostly marching in parades with Deval. I have come to respect you as a woman who has a deep love for people - not just voters or Massachusetts residents - but people. In many ways you remind me of my mother. Your ability to maintain a smile no matter what you are dealing with and your inclination to think of others more than yourself.

Having grown up in a family that was in the limelight in some ways I understand the struggle of public life. You give so much and then some people return your kindness with scorn and gossip. But I thank God for people like you who are not deterred by the challenge.

I am not sure how your daughters react, but if they are anything like I was as a teenager they might be frustrated at the public nature of their lives. I remember thinking that I wish I lived in another family. But when I went away to college, it gave me the opportunity to reflet on my life and realize how blessed I had been to live with people who by their daily example taught me to live my life with passion, faith, and purpose. I realized how much the world is in need of great leadership and I thanked God that my parents were willing to try to make a difference. I came back from my freshman year with a new kind of respect and gratefulness for my family and my parents.

Thank you for being courageous enough to live your passion. Thank you for being human enough to feel deeply - even if your feelings can sometimes overwhelm you. Thank you for being humble enough to share your struggle that can see ourselves in you.

The newspapers and the pundits may make their money off of being shameful, but those of us who have met you and know that you are a real person are behind you all the way.

Mariama
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You're the best!

Submitted by Hargrove on Sun, 03/18/2007 - 12:15am.

Dear First Lady,

I have admired your profound grace and beauty from afar.  Your warm and determined personae enhances Massachusetts politics, and the community in general.  You're one of a kind.  Massachusetts is lucky to have you.  You're a big giver, but now it is time to give to yourself.  You do us all proud.

Hargrove Jones

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Well Wishes to Diane Patrick

Submitted by fires4 on Tue, 03/13/2007 - 1:17pm.
Dear Diane,

How great must be the sacrifice of a wife to her husband's role as a political leader. The exhaustion that must come with a campaign, does not provide the additional energy reserves necessary to battle the loss of intimate time shared with a husband who has asked for and accepted an entire state as his new mistress. And what a fiesty mistress can be Massachusetts. Recall what grief Jane Swift was dealt when she decided to spend time with her newborn infant. All to say I can understand, and I can sympathize with how difficult things may be for you these days.

I recall how warmly and well you were received at Fanuel Hall last year. That admiration and respect remains alive, and well deserved. Just know that the darker the shadow, the brighter is the light.

I will look forward to your rest and recuperation, and to seeing your warm and wonderful smile once again.

Wishing you and Deval all the best,

Bob Feuer.




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Best Wishes and Prayers to Diane and her family

Submitted by Helene502 on Tue, 03/13/2007 - 11:54am.

My husband Whiting and I met Diane and Deval at his birthday party/benefit on a beautiful night in Lenox last summer. We were overwhelmed and moved by Deval's message and with Diane's graciousness and openness. We are saddened that politics, once again, has taken it's toll, but want the Patrick Family to know we send all our support and prayers. I am an advanced practice psychiatric nurse and know the good news is depression is very treatable and you are undoubtedly surrounded by some of the greatest medical minds. We are just so sorry any of you have had to suffer in your efforts to make our state so much better. Best wishes and love, Helene and Whiting Houston, Springfield, MA

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Well Wishes for Diane Patrick

Submitted by lexiedogmom on Tue, 03/13/2007 - 10:40am.

Dear Diane,

I met you and Deval briefly in North Adams during the campaign.  Let me say that, as much as I was impressed by Deval's vision and personality, so I was struck by the fact that such an extraordinary man must have an equally extraordinary wife.

As a long time battler of depression, I know that it is a tremondously diffucult thing.  With the right combination of treatments, you will come out of this stronger than before.

We in the Berkshires are so honored that you and Deval have chosen a home here.  We are your friends as well as your supporters, and stand ready to help in any way we can.

I promise you, it will get better.

With all good wishes,

Lexie Homewood

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Dear Diane

Submitted by Patrick Hart on Tue, 03/13/2007 - 9:00am.

I wish you the best in this difficult time. There are many people across the state thinking of you and we all hope things turn out ok. Good luck.

-Patrick Hart

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Dear Diane

Submitted by Sarah Etelman on Mon, 03/12/2007 - 9:52pm.
You have done so much to make all of us proud - now it's our turn to lend a little strength.

You're in my thoughts,
Sarah Etelman
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Dear Diane,

Submitted by rhondabourne on Mon, 03/12/2007 - 2:38pm.

Struggling with depression is an enormously painful ordeal.  It must be even more so under the peering eyes of the media and the public.

I liken the experience of depression  to being in a long dark tunnel.  You cannot see the light behind you or the light ahead.  You cannot even imagine that the light will ever come again.  It is in those moments that faith that you will be in the light again will sustain you.  Those who know you best can hold onto the hope for the future that you cannot imagine.  Just remember that this too shall pass.

Rhonda Bourne.

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Dear Diane,

Submitted by TERRY1FORREST on Mon, 03/12/2007 - 1:22pm.

   It is in times like these we need to reach out to those

that support us.   I know personally that in times of

depression most of us want to spend time alone. 

    Severe depression has reached me many times In

my life.  It is a struggle to get out of bed in the morning.

     It does get better with plenty of rest, & love and care

from those that matter most.

     God holds you in the palm of his hand and knows it's

time for you to rest and nurture yourself.  Reaching within

ourselves is where we find our strength our passion for life

and our love for ourselves, our family, our friends & our

community.  We also find that by re-engergizing

our strength and faith we are able to over come our

depression.

     Lots of love and prayers of a speedy recovery sent your

way!!

     Terry Forrest

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Warm wishes for you.

Submitted by Bonnie McKee on Mon, 03/12/2007 - 12:35pm.

Dear Diane,

I send you my support and warm wishes for all the best.

Bonnie McKee

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Take Care

Submitted by Blazely on Mon, 03/12/2007 - 10:53am.

Dear Diane,

                 Please rest and regain your strength. You are a wonderful women. My family and I send you all our love.

John, Huntley, Kealey, Arden, Rhett, Johnny, deLancey and Colette Fitzpatrick

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Support for Diane

Submitted by Jay Gilchrist on Mon, 03/12/2007 - 10:37am.

I just want to say that many of us understand the personal sacrifices you (and Deval) have had to make to achieve a leadership position... may these statements of support help to reassure you it is worth it.  We admire you both for your openness... You have encouraged so many of us to check back in, now it's our turn to raise our voices of encouragement to you. You are appreciated, needed, and loved for who you are!

Jay from Milford

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best wishes

Submitted by marygill on Mon, 03/12/2007 - 10:27am.
You are and will continue to be a wonderful First Lady and a credit to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I wish you a speedy recovery and will keep you in my prayers.
Mary Gill, Brockton
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Diane -

Submitted by Lori Bonatakis on Mon, 03/12/2007 - 8:35am.

People all over the state have come to love and admire you.  Politics, campaigns and holding office are tough, sometimes thankless jobs.  You are an inspiration to many women, holding on to your own identity and still devoting so much of your time to your husband, family and the people of MA.  Every woman out there understands, at some level, how difficult that can be.  I wish you all the best and hope you find some time to stop, relax and smell some roses.  Thank you for all that you do. 

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Much love to Diane

Submitted by pmbakid on Mon, 03/12/2007 - 8:25am.

It is an interesting turn of events when someone else's pain affects you that much even though you've only met that person twice.  Diane -- you have been a source of inspiration to so many of us and I hope you know how closely we all hold you in our hearts. 

Prayers are wending their way to you from all over the Commonwealth and the nation.  Please know how much you mean to each and every one of us.

Margie Ware

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