Our Precious Peter

We have returned home from Norris Lake with heavy hearts after an unsuccessful 5-day intensive search for Peter's body. Our new friends, Gene and Sandy Ralston from Idaho, combed every square inch of the lake bottom utilizing high tech sonar and ROV cameras. They sweltered in the heat to find Pete and at night we would view the pictures/ data of thousands of objects on the very clear and sandy lake bottom, including beer cans, coolers, tires, a boat, etc. But Pete's body is simply not there. The cadaver dogs came back out and also no luck. Miles of shoreline were and are being checked daily, but no Pete. A mystery, a puzzle and no sense to anyone, including the rescue teams, detectives and lake residents.

Bob, Paul and I want to thank everyone for all the many prayers, love and blessings that you have sent our way. This blog site has touched us to the very core and we thank Zach and Katie Hicks for creating this vehicle for our healing. We love your stories and sharing Pete's impact on your lives. We always thought he was a very special person with an enormous heart and we are comforted to know that he touched so many lives in the same way that he did ours.

While we struggle to make sense of this whole tragedy, we continue to learn a lot from Pete. We have learned that his friends loved him as we did; that his kindness, humor and passion for life made the world a little better place; that Pete achieved what he set out to do at age 13, as recorded in his written story of his life- "to be the best friend, brother, son, husband" that he could be. Pete knew at a young age that life isn't about shallow relationships. He recognized and worked to develop deep interpersonal relations with everyone. And your stories confirm that he succeeded.

We are proud of Pete and the joy he brought to us in so many ways, including all of you. He was always a man of character. Our thanks are too numerous to mention everyone, but allow us to note a few key persons who have been of great support:
Zach & Katie Hicks- peterman's blog
Paul Zlatic- his faith and ministry to Pete and the UD group and us in planning the liturgy
Dan Rodenfels- Pete's clone and confidant to us
Andy Butz- roommate and friend
Kurt Oblinger & Kurt Scherzinger- for the beautiful video of Pete's life
Grandma, aunts, uncles and cousins for their strength and support
St Gabriel teachers and family
Moeller family
UD family and friends
Dan Curran, President of UD who attended Pete's service
Pete's work family
Juvenile Court and St Elizabeth work family
Our Glendale neighbors and community who have rallied behind us
and all the other friends who came to call and offered support

To Pete's friends, we ask..please don't forget us. When the babies arrive and the joys and sorrows of your life come, please keep in touch with us. Pete would want us to continue to be the second parents/ friends that we were when he was living. You are important to us and will continue to be. We love you forever.

Pete lived a full and wonderful life in his short time with us. Our only regret is that he died without the support of loving family and friends right at his side. Pete would never have abandoned anyone in their time of need and he deserved to have that same love and respect. We know from all your kind entries that you would have stayed and been there with him, and us, throughout the search. And we take comfort in that and thank you for loving him too.

Our thanks. love and blessings-
Helene