About Lugnut -- Patrick Malone

Happy belated Birthday Pat. I was out of town for three days and just got back to catch up.

I hope you and Barb had a great time celebrating.

All the best,
L

Hi Pat,

This is my first post in this thread even though I have been lurking here since Paul started it. Why am I posting? The reason is because you stated, “I just hate to leave things unsaid and undone.” I am the same way and felt moved to write today.

Your journey documented here has shown me your zeal for life, family and friends. It also shows the compassion strangers can have for each other in a way that gives mutual strength to each party. Since this thread began, I have had to endure the passing of my Uncle, who I was very close with because he taught me how to play and win at chess and Jazz music at a very early age, and my father. During both situations when I hit the bottom of my perceived strength, I found your stories and words of advice tucked into my brain. They acted as a friendly security blanket to hold onto providing a calming affect with these loses I struggled through.

Also, during this time my best friend had kidney failure and has had to go on dialysis. In the beginning he did not handle the situation well but something inside of him clicked and he became brave and upbeat. His wife said I was a key player in this turnaround because I was always happy to be with him and encouraging him to keep on keeping on. I was able to provide a great mental attitude when I visited him because of what was shared here by you and others. My friend was told about this friend named “Pat or Lugnut” and the journey he is on. Pat even though we haven’t been introduced you entered part of my life. This means the other thing you posted, “I believe that God uses us to his benefit whenever possible”, came true for family, my friends and me.

The thread and posts made me laugh, cry, get angry at what was happening to you, get educated on all sorts of things and find a new mentor. Thank you Pat and the rest of audiogoners for sharing your thoughts and memories.

Pat, I recall many many posts ago you had asked if someone could capture all of these posts and send them to Barb in booklet form. My wife is in printing and we both want to volunteer to do this if no one else has stepped forward. Let me know my friend.

Go Lance go, but most importantly go Pat go!

Peace, blessing and warmest regards,
Lou

Pat, I'm glad to hear you are going to have a better than expected week and enjoy time with your sister. What "aged vinyl" does your sister like to listen to? I hope you do get those porch-view pictures at Ron's place and post them here.

All the best to you and don't bull too much and lose the light again. :~)

Lou

Lugnut, it sounds like you are forecasting what might become some to the darkest days of your life’s journey here with us and I just want you to know you will be in my thoughts and prayers.

The following is a re-post by Captain Danjel Bout (aka thunder6) from his blog. When I read it I realized it applied to how I feel about you and decided to share it with everyone now.

“I was sustained by one piece of inestimable good fortune. I had for a friend a man of immense and patient wisdom and a gentle but unyielding fortitude. I think that if I was not destroyed at this time by the sense of hopelessness, which these gigantic labors has awakened in me, it was largely because of the courage and patience of this man. I did not give in because he would not let me give in."
-Thomas Wolfe

“Some people come into your life like a leaf settling onto a pond, their arrival causing nary a ripple. Others hurtle in like a stone falling from a high cliff, their entrance marked by a riot of spray and a corona of liquid motion. But after their explosive entrance these too quickly fade, the circlet of energy disappearing as its kinetic seed settles to the bottom. And then there are people who pass through your life like a smooth river rock skipping across the surface. Their swift trajectory doesn’t allow them to settle into the chill depths of being, but their dance between the elements of air and water momentarily suspends the boundaries between all things. And shows you, if only for a brilliant moment, that all things are possible.

There are no words that accurately describe those rare individuals, nor are there words to express the yearning you feel when you don’t hear from them or they have to move on. If there is a consolation it comes from the knowledge that their lessons are inscribed on the most durable of mediums…your soul.“

Patrick, you occupy a big spot in my heart and soul, man; don’t give in, and I hope you hear good news after the 29th CT scan and have many many more good days.

Warmest regards,
L

Swampwalker, the second quote is by Captain Danjel Bout.

Lugnut, you said,

"You guys are way too generous in what you think of me."

All I can do is bow to another to state the obvious ..."When you do the common things in life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world." George Washington Carver.

Pat, that is indeed great news. The positive thoughts, well wishes and prayers from fellow AudiogoNers may have assisted in this update.

All the best and fingers crossed,
L

Pat, you continue to amaze me on how much strength and grace you possess no matter what situation is thrown your way.

My prayers are with you my friend.
L

Hi Pat and everyone,

I am sorry for not responding earlier but I was out of town for over a week and have just caught up on this thread.

The entire thread had been copied and pasted to a word file. I have also gone through most of it and cleaned up all misspelled words except when slang was actually the preferred way to go. I have cut out all link lines under the person's name. Where Lugnut speaks I have offset that in a different font and color making it easier to read Pat's comments/responses quickly. I do plan on offering it on cdR to whoever wants it for the cost of a mailer and postage, or in a zip file for free. The reason for this is that I have picked up the pictures too.

As Pat has stated I plan on presenting a printed copy of this thread to Barb with a very special rememberance inspired by the spirit of this community or dare I say tribe of loving thoughtful people.

Peace, love and blessings,
Lou

Hi Barb,

Having that puppy in you life is going to help during the grieving period for sure.

My wife, Gina, suggested Cinna as a short version of Cinnamon Girl, or Aussie for her being an Australian Shephard.

My suggestions are an anagram of LUGNUT -- Gultun or Tungul. They may be unusual but either name will definitely cause people to turn their heads and take notice of the dog. I know I would!

Peace and prayers for both of you,
Lou

Barb and Amanda you are in our thoughts and may God bless you.

As I sat here with tears running down my cheeks I remembered a poem, which seemed to described the essence of Patrick. I never meet him in person but did email and talk to him a couple of times and read this thread almost daily. Pat struck me as a kind, selfless, caring, and humble person. A person who may have looked in that mirror of life and realized that he not only befriended numerous people but also himself in how this thread had touched so many lives in a very special way.

The Man in the Glass

When you get what you want in your struggle for self,
And the world makes you king for a day,

Just go to a mirror and look at yourself,
And see what THAT man has to say.

For it isn’t your father, mother, spouse, child or boss,
Whose judgment upon you must pass,

The fellow whose judgment verdict counts most in your life
Is the one staring back from the glass.

Some people might think you’re a straight-shootin’ chum,
And call you wonderful guy,

Others may feel you are a two-faced crumb,

But the man in the glass says you’re only a bum,
If you can’t look him straight in the eye.

He’s the fellow to please, never mind all the rest,
For he’s with you clear up to the end.

And you’ve passed your most dangerous, difficult test
If the guy in the glass is your friend.

You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years,
And get pats or jabs on the back as you pass.

But your final reward will be heartaches and tears
If you’ve cheated the man in the glass.
-Anonymous

R.I.P. Lugnut and thank you all for sharing your stories and thoughts with everyone over the past eleven months.

Lou and Gina Bruno

Hi Everybody,

Since we are getting close to a 1,000 posts, I thought I would bump it up a little.

My wife and I sent Barb and her family a hard copy of this thread along with six cdR copies and a memorial afghan representing our interpretation of this tread and Pat. We do plan on sending her updates from time to time as long as this thread continues to have life.

For everyone who reads and contributes to this thread may you have a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Joyous Kwanzaa, Happy Festivas,…and a safe Happy New Year's celebration.

L

Barb,

It was nice of you to drop by and share your feelings with us. It is always an emotional roller coaster to go through the Holidays without having loved ones around who have recently passed away. It was rough for me too because my favorite uncle passed away on December 29th 2004, my dad passed April 2, 2005 and then Patrick on November 10th. Stepping into 2006 required being with loved ones.

Thank you for the kind words about the book and afghan. The picture of you holding it by the Christmas tree is priceless. Also, the wonderful Christmas card, pictures and special thank you. You are very welcome and it was our pleasure to do these things for you. Remember to wrap youself in the afghan to feel the warmth and love that has been sent to you by so many people

I hope you won’t mind but I thought I would share what we wrote in the card that accompanied the afghan with the Audiogon community.

Memorial Afghan for Barb
Made by Gina Bruno

The center purple block / heart (color chosen due to Pat’s Purple Haze listening room) represents the soul and spirit of Patrick “Lugnut” Malone. The surrounding hearts are all the people who shared their own thoughts, feelings, prayers, stories, caring and love for Pat. The purple and white threads on the outside boarder represent the Audiogon Community who have read this thread and learned so much about Lugnut, fellow Audiogoners, and themselves as they traveled with him during the last stage of his life’s journey here on Earth. The intertwined colors symbolize how Pat’s thoughts and feelings, communicated via postings, Emails, and telephone calls, has created a legacy and community that surrounds and supports each other, friends and, especially Barb, Amanda and the rest of the Malone family.

Patrick “Lugnut” Malone certainly touched many hearts by his grace, humor, courage, honesty, sharing and caring nature, and has made each of us infinitely richer for knowing him.”

Peace, love and blessings,
Lou & Gina Bruno

It is great to see this pop up. My wife and I have sent cards to Barb to let her know she and Patrick are still in our thoughts. I hope she is doing well and has moved happily on to the next stage of her life. Very nice people for sure.

Lou