At one time I was trying to help Peter get better at controlling his behaviors. I was learning how to meditate and it was really helping me, so I thought it might help him too. I explained the idea of meditating to Peter and he got very excited. He sat down and assumed the "meditation" pose. He waited a minute then stated "Ok, I am ready to levitate now." I smiled and told him, "Peter, if anybody can learn to levitate, it will be you." He did continue to try the meditations especially when he could pretend to be a flying bird.

A long time ago when Peter was very young, probably about 2 or so, my hair was very long. Peter and I were playing in my living room. I was standing about 2 feet away from him and He was jumping from the couch into my arms. This had been going on for about 20 min when decided to up the ante, so to speak. On His final jump, instead of reaching for my arms, he grabbed my hair and swung around me. Fortunately he was a tiny guy but he did get a good swing going and was able to project himself across the room!

The first year that Tovah let me take Simon and Peter on a road trip, we drove down the coast of California. We made lots of stops along the way all of which were an adventure for Peter. One night, I had driven quite late and everyone was tired. We stopped at several hotels, all of which were full. I eventually stopped one, a very expensive and "fancy" one according to Peter. He begged me to let us stay there "just one night.." Well we did. It had a lovely view of the ocean, those robes that they hope you will fork over 80 bucks for, champagne glasses, etc. A very nice hotel. Well, Peter took a shower, under protest, until he found the robe and glasses. He put that adult robe on, fill the glass with water, combed his hair back and walked around the room like he owned the place. I regret not being able to have caught the moment on camera but I still can visualize it like it was yesterday. Peter was a full throttle kind of guy, but he did like his "fancy" moments.

One morning when Peter was probably about 2, while his mother was out running and his pop was sleeping, Peter found about 2 dozen or so eggs that Tovah had bought to make easter eggs. I was in my room in the house next to theirs and I could hear this "Thump" hysterical laughter, "Thump" more laughter. I didn't think anything about it. When Tovah came home from here run, I heard this yelling "Oh my God." I came rushing over. It seems that Peter had been having a wonderful time, throwing the eggs at a little window. He had managed to land just about all of them within the window frame. I didn't know how to not laugh, so I left. What an aim for a child so young!!

It was one of those hot summer days where all you want to do is bug people because you're so miserable. Simon and peter had obviously had enough of each other and were just beginning to draw First Blood, so to break it up Peter and i went out! We cruised around listening to the radio, he hung out the window -way too far but heck he's more acrobat than anyone- and looked for a destination. I asked him if he was hungry and he said no, so I asked if he was what would he want and he replied quickly, "Meat". He was with the right lady. I pulled into a Chinese restaraunt for funsees and he ran right in and had me at a table before I could even step in the door, like he was a regular! We plowed through 4 pounds of beef chow mein, 2 pounds of shrimp, and 7 pounds of orange chicken. I don't remember saying much during our mastication except his face and me making silly jokes to make him giggle...I understand that sometimes even children have to leave us...but please just leave me the echo of his giggling and laugh forever

I don’t remember ever having to fuss at Peter more than once for any behavior. He always minded the first time around for me. I’ve suspected for some time that my granddaughters, Aspen and Marley, might have shared with him the fact that old bald men are short tempered and prone to violence, and the bones scattered around my back yard have nothing to do with my dog, but are the lasting remnants of rowdy neighborhood children. My most recent contact with Peter came this past summer as we both sat in my living room playing the Xbox video game, “Rainbow 6,” a shoot-em-up computer game where you run around hunting and eliminating bad-mannered terrorists. Peter had but one strategy; charge headlong into the fray, guns blazing on every front, overcoming any obstacle through sheer momentum. “Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!” Might Admiral David Farragut have had Peter in mind? For those of you heavy into grammar (no, Aspen, that’s not Cheryl or Nana), perhaps we should initiate a new adjective… “Peter-ish,” to describe his uniquely aggressive and fearless approach to life. He was a joy, and this world is a lesser place.

when i was six, me, my sister, simon, peter and some other name all lived together, and used to play all the time and the memory most was when tovah, was off and my mom was out and i dont remember where grandma was and marley (my sister) had his miniture shopping cart thingy majig and never let any of us play with it. well peter was in love with that thing and since he couldnt walk yet he would only use it to pull himself up. that night where everyone was gone peter was and i were playing with that thingy and had decided to teach him how to run. the hall where me and simon used to race was pretty long so i proped peter on to the shopping cart handle,after going over how to move for fifteen minutes, he ran so fast up and down the hallways and i couldnt tell what i was happier about, his smile or how he remembered to do it the next day.

Cheryl and I have been friends for about 3 years and get together every month or so for a food /movie decimation in Tucson. Last month Peter, and family were in town and I had the opportunity to meet them and hang out. My first meeting with him included a huge smile, warm hug from both boys and immediate inclusion in conversation. I was so impressed by the amazing light of both boys. Peter joined Cheryl and I for the traditional movie, (Iron Man 2 in this case) and a popcorn, candy, and soda feast. We had great fun. I remember as we were driving out of the parking lot, Peter noticed these cute little chipmunk fuzzy creatures running in and out of their burrows. He was so pleased with them. I lost myself momentarily in the joys of childhood discovery. Peter was an amazing light in the world! We will miss him but I am happy to say that the memory of that day will carry me for many years!

My son Tyler started kindergarten the same time that Simon started. I remember every morning while the kids were lining up to go in Peter would be walking on his hands the ENTIRE time they were lined up. He had endless energy and a unforgettful smile to go with it.

Karla Peterson

14 years ago

I'm sorry--I intended to write unforgettable smile.

It was one of those hot summer days where all you want to do is bug people because you're so miserable. Simon and peter had obviously had enough of each other and were just beginning to draw First Blood, so to break it up Peter and i went out! We cruised around listening to the radio, he hung out the window -way too far but heck he's more acrobat than anyone- and looked for a destination. I asked him if he was hungry and he said no, so I asked if he was what would he want and he replied quickly, "Meat". He was with the right lady. I pulled into a Chinese restaraunt for funsees and he ran right in and had me at a table before I could even step in the door, like he was a regular! We plowed through 4 ponds of beef chow mein, 2 pounds of shrimp, and 7 pounds of orange chicken. I don't remember saying much during our mastication except his face and me making silly jokes to make him giggle...I understand that sometimes even children have to leave us...but please just leave me the echo of his giggling and laugh forever