Hi, my name is James, and I'm asking people to help my dear friends Mick & Robin. Saturday night, the 22nd of October, their son Patrick was at a birthday party with his girlfriend in southwest Phoenix. A random teenage man drove by the party and decided to crash it; after he made it clear that he was there to cause trouble, he was asked to leave. He returned later with a gun, and tragically he shot seven people. Patrick, beautiful human that he was, attempted to reach Melissa in the melee.

Patrick was a bright spark in the darkness. Many of his friends described him as the gentlest and most caring man they'd ever known. He was one of the most gifted, natural musicians I have ever met, and had the maddening ability to pick up any instrument he found, pick at it for a few minutes, and just start playing it. He had his problems just out of high school as many of us do, but he had turned the corner and was making changes in his life that proved he had found his way.

My fondest memories of Patrick in the past were of him just picking up a random penny whistle and playing along with the band... when at first they had no idea who he was or what he was doing, he just started playing and wound up being part of the group. Or, earlier, when he was just a wee lad performing the Sword Dance as Mick or I piped for him, with Patrick's borrowed clothing gave in to the centrifugal forces at work... a shoe flies off, a bracelet, an inkle or a tie...

While this tragedy is enough to deal with, both Mick and Robin are dealing with their own serious medical conditions, and a catastrophic medical bill from the shooting will be heaping misery on top of misery. Once we know the specifics of any bills we may change the goal of the fundraiser, and any residual moneys will be left for Mick and Robin to donate or use for incidental costs.

Anything you can do for my dear friends is sincerely appreciated. Parents aren't supposed to have to bury their children, and I want to try to ease the burden of my friends. Even if all you can do is share this fundraiser, that will be a big help.

Thank you for reading my fundraising request.

xo

James