Erainer Patterson:
CLASS OF 1965
Pontiac Central High SchoolClass of 1965
Pontiac, MI
Erainer's Story
I brought three children in the world and went through the unbelievable loss of my only son to heart disease at the age of 17. Although I never went to college, my two daughters have--one with a masters in accounting and the other with a fine arts degree. I worked for the Pontiac Board of Education, Michigan Bell, Pontiac Motors, the NAACP, the US Tank Command, the US Postal Service and the State of Michigan from where I retired after 23 years service.
I have been blessed with one grandchild (age 7 now). His mother honored her late brother by naming him after him. Jonathan is my pride and joy. Even now I can see his intelligence and have no doubt he will make his mark on the world.
I survived bile duct cancer, had corneal transplants on both eyes, a knee replacement and other ailments, but I'm still here. I was blessed to have the right doctors at the right time. I can clearly see the hand of God in all that I have lived through.
I've had the good fortune to attend three of my class reunions--the 15th, 25th and 40th. I missed the 50th. Each time more of my classmates had gone to their heavenly reward, and I missed them so much. At the 40th, I saw my homeroom teacher, Mr. Packard. It was so great to see him.
At the...Expand for more
age of 74 with 14 years of retirement under my belt, I now reside in Columbus, OH, in a 55 and over community. In all my years I never expected to live during a pandemic. Many of my neighbors I have not seen in weeks. I do wear a mask to drop off my garbage and pick up my mail. I have developed a heart condition and had a pace maker put in this past March. With the love and support of my two daughters, I have survived thus far during this most uncertain time. They go to the grocery store for me and get me out for fresh air often. I keep busy watching TV, listening to music, coloring in my coloring book, playing games on my new IPad, writing letters (again!) besides cleaning and cooking. I have had my first dose of the COVID vaccine and awaiting my second dose. Hopefully, more Americans will get vaccinated and continue wearing masks, washing hands and practicing social distancing so that we can get to a more normal existence. All in all, I have lived a good life and been as decent a person as I could—bringing joy, lifting spirits and brightening lives on this journey through life. Hopefully, I have left a legacy that whatever life brings to you, you can get to the other side of it with a smile and goodness in your heart.
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