LIFE AFTER LOSS

The Mu Alpha Chapter at Susquehanna University suffered a loss in October of 2021, when brother Patrick Latsha passed away. We were heartbroken, wondering what came next for us. We questioned how we could continue effectively as a Chapter, when we had just lost one of our beloved brothers. A year and a half later, we reflect on ourselves. Patrick Latsha’s passing caught us by surprise. What started as a normal day, with many of the brothers preparing for a philanthropy event, ended with grief, loss, and confusion. For some, Pat was a person who they knew for many years prior to college. For others, Pat was a person who they had only met a few days prior. Everyone was hurting. We had just been having a fun time, only to be sent into panic. The first few weeks were rough for all of us. Brothers missed classes, work, and other responsibilities due to the grief we experienced. At certain points, it felt like we were never going to recover. Exemplifying our pillar of brotherhood, we focused heavily on the interactions between brothers. We checked up on each other. We spent all our waking hours with each other. We were extremely close, with every door in our house being open and everyone being available to talk at any time. We grieved hard, but we loved harder.

In the Spring of 2022, all of us were still affected by the loss. Conversations about Pat, and his legacy were integral and common. However, Spring recruitment was on the way, and we needed to prepare. We needed to be ready to welcome new members, who would not be able to grieve in the same ways we had been. We made it a point to pass on the memories of Pat and what he did for not just Phi Mu Delta, but throughout his whole life. Throughout the Spring 2022 semester, we made sure to continue outreach to Kathy and Joe Latsha, Pat’s parents. As much as we were grieving, we knew that they were grieving the loss of a child. Even though we had lost a fraternity brother, we knew that the pain they were going through was unimaginable. We supported them and showed them the love we had for not only their son, but also for them. They supported us. They grieved with us, talked about memories, and would even provide food at gatherings. We felt immense love from not just the brothers, but the Latsha family as well. For that, we are eternally grateful. Spring 2022 graduation was bittersweet. The seniors were excited to go out into the world, and experience life. However, it was not complete. There was a brother who should have been there excited with them, jumping for joy when they all had finally received their diplomas after 4 years of hard work and dedication to their studies, and to Phi Mu Delta.

In the Fall of 2022, it had been a year since Pat’s passing. When the date was coming up, many brothers were feeling that original grief all over again. We arranged to have a tree and bench dedicated to Pat right outside of the Phi Mu Delta – Mu Alpha house. Brothers prepared speeches, both current and alumni. We cried the same tears and felt the same heartbreak knowing it had been a year without our brother. The dedication ceremony went perfectly, with students and faculty of Susquehanna, active brothers and alumni, and family all coming together to celebrate the life of Pat. Through the tears, there were smiles and celebration of the friend we had, and the life he lived. Now, in the Spring of 2023, we have new challenges to face. With our new Spring new member class, these are not only people who did not know Pat personally, but people who did not share the campus with him while he was here. They know him through memories of others. Regardless of how much time has passed, everyday can be a struggle. Little things that remind us of Pat, playing video games that we know he loved, and having events that we know he would have given his all to. We are constantly remembering him and thanking him for all he did for us. We also again express our gratitude to Kathy and Joe Latsha for all they have done for us as well. We have passed on the legacy of Pat, and what he meant to all of us as a friend and as a brother. Although we still mourn the loss of Pat, we know that his memory will continue forever, through stories and memories.