To Our Mount Peter Family,
My parents’ love story has reached the ears and hearts of so many. As many of you know, my parents met, fell in love, and together created the mountain that we love so dearly. They suffered through hard times and fought their way to success, one tiny step at a time. Throughout it all, they were so in love that as a kid, I blushed (or more accurately, rolled my eyes) whenever someone mentioned it. They set the bar so high for love that it seemed impossible to ever reach.
As you also know, Don, my dad, passed away on March 17th. I am now so very sad to tell you that Gail, my mom, passed just nine days later.
The narrative is that she had a broken heart and wanted to be with him. Which is true, my mom without my dad was unspeakable. The only fault with this story is that people may see my mom as weaker, without my dad. I need to tell you that my mom is the strongest person I have ever met. She has supported my dad, my sister and I, my son, and many of you with fierceness, even when it was hard. I think of my mom and my spine instantly straightens because I am Gail’s daughter, which makes me strong by default. I am so proud that my blood is her blood, that my reflection mirrors her own.
Most of my mom’s story is by my dad’s side, but that does not take away the fact that she was, on her own, a force to be reckoned with.
Just over a week ago I shared that it was hard to work for my dad. Well, if his standards were high, my mom’s were to the moon. I could tell just by the way her pupils dilated if she was mad, and panic would set in when she was. My mom was smart and kept Mount Peter running on breadcrumbs and prayers through many of the earlier years. She was unstoppable, and together with my dad, could do anything.
Recently I shared that my dad was, at one time, everyone’s dad. Well, my mom was also everyone’s mom. As someone eloquently just said about my parents, they were once the caregivers of every kid in Warwick. They have taught us all about love, about hard work, about blind faith. Rebecca and I will carry on their dreams, but for a short time, we will allow ourselves the grace to remember Gail and Don as mom and dad. We may not be able to immediately respond to your many calls and emails, but we love and appreciate each of them. Stories of our parents’ and what they mean to all of you are priceless.
The Celebration of Life that we are planning is now for both of them. As sad as that is, it means that they are together, and that is truly the best ending for any love story as beautiful as theirs. As a reminder, it is at 3 p.m. on Sunday April 26th. Please drop me an email at amy@mtpeter.com so we can plan properly.
Please take care of each other, for as we have just learned, life can change at any moment. We are so lucky to have such a large family, in all of you.
With love,
Amy
