Sunday, February 20, 2011

Pete's celebration of life

Today the day dawned clear and bright, which seems to be what will be happening for the foreseeable future while I am here in Florida. It was the day for Pete's celebration. Pictured above is Pete's, Norma Jean's and Moose's "ride," their Gold Wing motorcycle that allowed them to cover more than 70,000 miles together in less than three years. Pete's boots are in front, his helmet in the seat. At the top on the back, Moose's carrier is strapped on top of their luggage rack. At the very back, you can see they have a moose trailer hitch cover. The motorcycle was parked by the entrance to the clubhouse.
Seventeen Gold Wing motorcycles rode in formation up to the clubhouse with around thirty riders from their Gold Wing Chapter, and another forty people from various parts of Pete's life showed up to join us for the celebration. As soon as the bikes were parked, however, the riders lined up to give Norma Jean a hug and a "Riesen to live." Each one handed her a Riesen candy, which was put with the others into a bag.
After being received by Norma Jean, the chapter members came inside to join the others to watch rotating pictures of Pete's life, along with an amazing display of many of his artistic works. Peter had compiled pictures of Pete that we were given from different people into a lovely slideshow, and dozens of Pete's most impressive works of art were displayed on the tables. People talked, visited, and ate some of the snacks that Allison had provided until the celebration was scheduled to end, at 3:00 pm.
After we packed up all the things we had brought and headed back home, Lauren and Jim, old family friends, came back to the house to look at Pete's box of mementos that had been salvaged by Allison and Norma Jean, things he felt were still too good to throw out. This old scale is decades old and was once covered with fake fur, and those two cups of his had been used for so long that Lauren (the pretty lady in blue) refused to allow them into her house. 
Now it's 7:00 pm and I'm getting ready to post this, while Norma Jean is asleep in Pete's recliner (snoring vigorously), Peter is working away sitting in his desk chair, and Allison is cleaning up in the kitchen. Little Lexie is already asleep. Now that the celebration is behind us, I will be heading to the Drop Zone tomorrow to check out Skydive City. I'm pretty tired, too, but I'll try to stay awake for another hour or two. It was a good day, a good celebration, and after a day or two I think the closure will begin to sink in. We love you, Pete!
:-)

29 comments:

  1. i am glad you had a good day...sounds like a wonderful remembrance...smiles at the cycle guys that is awesome...

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  2. Such a wonderful celebration of your BIL's life! This must be very comforting for your sister.

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  3. It's so good to have the support of friends at a time like this. Well done.

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  4. It sounds like it was a very special (albeit exhausting) day. I feel pretty tired myself for some reason... must be at least partially sympathetic in nature. Thank you for sharing the celebration with us, Jan, and sweet dreams to all of you. Have an awesome and safe day at the DZ tomorrow.

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  5. What a wonderful celebration of Pete's life and sharing the things he loved!

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  6. I am so glad you were able to join in the celebration of Pete's life!

    Have fun tomorrow!

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  7. Closure is key! It's what starts on the journey to some kind of recovery.
    Celebration of a life gives us a much healthier send off to overcoming our grief.
    I'm glad that you had a good day.

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  8. That sounds like a wonderful way to celebrate Pete's life. Your family knows how to do it right.

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  9. It looks like a great celebration of a life well lived. The art work looks amazing..have a safe day tomorrow..pay attention to what you are doing..don't be thinking about other people when you are jumping, oh that sounded bad didn't it..you know what I mean..stay alert sky diving lady:)

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  10. The motorcycle, the friends, the mementos, the art work, and of course the memories that were shared must have made Pete's celebration of life an event that will be remembered and will help give healing. It seemed he had a life well lived. Thanks for sharing.

    Again, to all of the family, I'm so sorry for your loss.

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  11. The celebration went well...and I'm glad you're holding up. Just a thought...when my sister's husband passed she had a tough time parting with his clothing. He was a Harley enthusiast so there were many of his Harley shirts from the places he visited. I found out that Kim from the blog mouse medicine could take the shirts and turn them into a small quilt. Kim isn't finished with it yet but she did send me a photo...if you think Norma Jean might be interested in this I could send you a picture. It's extraordinary and not anything like the usual granny type quilt. She used meditation of Tom to design the quilt. It will be like my sister can wrap her husband's arms around her with it. Maybe Norma Jean might like that. Just a thought.
    Hope you are all doing okay. Happy jumping tomorrow!

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  12. What a lovely way to remember a loved one!Have a good day,good jump and stay safe.

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  13. Pete has been a part of them, and it's just a way of showing how much they miss and love someone like Pete. Thanks for sharing, it's very touching DJ.

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  14. Getting together to say good bye and show pictures and artwork associated with Pete must have been good for all of the people who attended the celebration. It looks like Norma Jean has lots of friends there as well as her children and siblings. How is the fence coming for the new dog?

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  15. What a wonderful way to celebrate Pete's life. Having the support of great friends/family makes all the difference. Get some rest and take care of yourself too.

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  16. It sounds like it was a wonderful tribute to Pete's life. The family is blessed to have you and your support.

    God bless and have a Marvelous Monday!!!

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  17. It sounds and looks like a very fine tribute to this well-loved man. Gold Wings riders seem to have a fine sense of community, which is very nice, especially in times like these. I hope you're able to do a jump. Another fine way to celebrate Pete's life, All life.

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  18. Touching post about Pete and his life, DJan...he was an impressive artist. Take care.

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  19. What an unusual way to spend in celebration. He had so many friends and they have given him and Norma a wonderful send off. Norma looks a little better in this picture. I'm sure she 'enjoyed' the memories and will remember the day for many years to come.
    How are you taking it? This is not the first celebration day you've been to lately, is it? Are you, too, feeling the strain?

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  20. It sounds and looks like a terrific remembrance!

    have a good skydive!

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  21. Pete probably viewed the celebration of his life from his seat in heaven. Well done!

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  22. Quite an unusual story, really, and made it an excellent post the way it was done.

    Here is the reply on what happened to Bill and the girl...

    Actually Bill became a historian and author and still plays his clarinet. The girl became a nurse and moved to the West Coast. Both are doing fine.

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  23. Sounds like the perfect celebration of his life. That's the way it should be. Funerals can be so sad and somber and it's so nice when the loved one and their life can be celebrated. It's still sad for those of us left behind, but to be remembered and honored like this is so important.

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  24. What a totally fitting way to remember Peter... the bikes and bikers that he enjoyed so much. Thank you for sharing the pictures.

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  25. What a GREAT celebration! It sounded like a good tribute to him. I am still so sad about little Moose...but know he is now with Pete and that does make me smile...

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  26. Had to come back to tell you I was flattered that you must like to come to my blogs. I appreciate your visits too.

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  27. What a lovely testament to a life well lived. How very touching. I imagine it was exhausting. Thank you for sharing this with us.

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  28. What a wonderful way to celebrate a man's life! I'm glad it was a good day in so many different ways.

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  29. What a wonderful celebration, I'm sure Pete would have been pleased. This is the way it should be, no mourning of death but a celebration of a life.

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