EULOGY FOR PATRICK ZALDARIAGA BY KEVIN YANG
Patrick’s Eulogy
It is indeed a sad day for all of us. Losing a great person like Patrick has truly struck our lives, and I know my life will never be the same without him.
Patrick and I had lots of fun and great memories together. Growing up as a kid, I remember often spending my weekends at Rockwell, where Patrick and his parents also often went. One of our favorite things to do there together was go bowling in PowerBowl. If anyone has been to PowerBowl, they must know that a disco ball would drop at about 10 pm and dance music would start playing. Well, Patrick who really loved dancing at the time, danced his heart out every time he’d see that disco ball. I, on the other hand, being a young conservative kid, disliked it. There was one instance where I felt so embarrassed for Patrick that I wanted to stop it. “Stop it Patrick, people are looking at you already,” I told him. He still continued dancing, as if he didn’t hear anything. This continued for about 5 more minutes till I decided to really stop it once and for all. I told him, “Patrick, if you don’t stop dancing, I won’t be your friend anymore.” I know what Patrick did? He still kept on dancing. That doesn’t really prove much of a point but it just showed how Patrick loved to have fun.
I’d like to share with you guys another memorable story about Patrick. I still remember when Patrick and I first met. Itwas my first day as a grade 1 student and I was in desperate need of a friend. Nervous and afraid, Islowly walked to the last row looking for my name and seat, anticipating that I would again be the last person in class as my last name starts with a “Y”. I finally found my seat and for the first time I wasn’t the last in the class.Right beside me sat a happy and chubby kid, with a last name I could barely pronounce. “Zaldaga is it?” I asked him. “It’s Zaldarriaga… Patrick Zaldarriaga,” he answered with an air of unwavering confidence.I was shocked and amazed in the manner he answered me.
That was the kind of person Patrick was, confident and strongwhen the rest weren’t.
He was first of all confident in his abilities. Patrick was one of the most talented people I knew. One talent that stood out the most, in my opinion,was his ability to write beautifully and most of all honestly. Patrick was a leading member of Hoofprint, a prestigious writing organization that consists of only the best writers in the school. Furthermore, he also represented Xavier Schoolin a challenging writing contest, winning 3rd place in the entire competition – an outstanding achievement. For the years that I was his classmate, he always maintained high grades and honor awards. In fact, he was the only student in the history of the school to win the Katangi-tangingXavierian Award, a feat he should truly be proud of. Patrick was a truly gifted individual, who always excelled in the academic field, a person who has undoubtedly given pride to his school, friends and family.
Patrick was also the bravest person I have ever met. He should have been the most afraid of the danger he was in, but the truth was,we were the onesmost fearful for him. His courage was like no other. He was a child taking on a man’s burdenand yet he never stopped fighting, even when fighting didn’t make sense anymore. “My bones are shattered. My pride is shattered. But in the midst of this self-inflicted pain, I can see my beautiful rescue.”Through Patrick’s words, we see light in this dark event. Dying was his only way of getting “rescued” from suffering and for this we should be thankful. At the beginning I was selfish, as I wished and prayed for Patrick to stay longer here with us, where I want him to be. However, only now do I realize that Patrick is really where he is supposed to be, in a place where pain can no longer reach him, a place where he can be reunited with the Lord.
Patrick serves as a true inspiration to all of us. He stood strongest for us when he was at his weakest. In return we must do the same; we must not falter in his loss but draw strength from it. As the famous quote says, “Life will always knock us down, but it is up to us to chose whether or not we get back up.” Patrick chose to get back up, and in his honor so should we.
