Pete.
Pete is my oldest brother.
Longwinded and opinionated, he was a huge presence in our small family. He's the guy responsible for our being here in California, seeing that we needed refuge when I became sick and pulling the appropriate strings - and some not-so-appropriate - to get us here. Our relationship was a mixed bag, alternating between our being quite close to staying our distance when there was tension between us. At times I felt Pete was a wee bit boorish, at other times the most fascinating person I knew - depending on my own level of bitch-dom at the time.
Pete knew everyone. Whenever we were out together he made at least one new acquaintance, and was able to pick up the conversation upon meeting them again. He had a knack for befriending people...
Pete was a huge bear of a man, seemingly undestructible after a two-year battle with cancer. He stood about 6'2" and weighed over 300 lbs and braved the wilds of Corcoran Prison to teach the inmates how to read and write and do basic math. He loved his job and the rewards that came with it.
My brother died unexpectedly last week. He was at a training conference for his job Monday night when he drifted off in his sleep. There was no sign of struggle or pain or any indication that he knew the end had come - he was just there when they found him sometime Tuesday.
We buried him yesterday in Visalia.
Goodbye Pete. I love you.
Longwinded and opinionated, he was a huge presence in our small family. He's the guy responsible for our being here in California, seeing that we needed refuge when I became sick and pulling the appropriate strings - and some not-so-appropriate - to get us here. Our relationship was a mixed bag, alternating between our being quite close to staying our distance when there was tension between us. At times I felt Pete was a wee bit boorish, at other times the most fascinating person I knew - depending on my own level of bitch-dom at the time.
Pete knew everyone. Whenever we were out together he made at least one new acquaintance, and was able to pick up the conversation upon meeting them again. He had a knack for befriending people...
Pete was a huge bear of a man, seemingly undestructible after a two-year battle with cancer. He stood about 6'2" and weighed over 300 lbs and braved the wilds of Corcoran Prison to teach the inmates how to read and write and do basic math. He loved his job and the rewards that came with it.
My brother died unexpectedly last week. He was at a training conference for his job Monday night when he drifted off in his sleep. There was no sign of struggle or pain or any indication that he knew the end had come - he was just there when they found him sometime Tuesday.
We buried him yesterday in Visalia.
Goodbye Pete. I love you.