The eternal garden

 I first met Peter when I was still a teenager. He was welcoming in his affable way. I was intrigued by him and the whole family in the way a newly minted adult is intrigued by different ways of life. His relationship with Jakob was like something I imagined only existed in the movies as it was always happy and pleasant and hearty. Very quickly I learned that everyone in Peter's sphere got that same kind of attention. Peter always knew what to ask so that he could be involved in your life. He always knew how to have just the right conversation to interest and engage the listener. To be that person felt special. 

Thank you Peter for making me feel a part of the family. 

Peter was always very clear on the things that concerned him. I adored these small conversations or emails from him because unlike most other people who expressed their fears and objections to me- with Peter it was always logical. I would look up facts regarding his worry and reply in an evidence based manner and he would do the same in return until we inevitably came to a conclusion.  When we told him that we were crossing the high Sierras at Donner pass in late Autumn he made it clear he was uncomfortable with the plan. The solution was that Peter came with us. It was a great 10 days of mountain walking with Peter.

Thank you Peter for walking beside us in person and not just words. 

When I got cancer Peter immediately started researching treatment options and scenarios. He never assumed any decision was correct until he himself had done his research. He never stopped researching because the truth is never black and white. Long after most had forgotten all about my cancer Peter was still (until now) asking about thyroid management and researching ideal results and medication dosages. 

Thank you Peter for never stopping to care and seek the answers. 

I always liked the way Peter offered up tea. He was not the cook in the family but he took his role as evening provider of drinks seriously. Without fail he would stop whatever he might be doing to come offer and have tea with Kristin in the evening. If you were around the offer would be extended to you too. I didn't always want tea just before bed but I did love being offered tea. And I really liked that even when I said no numerous times Peter never stopped offering. 

Thank you Peter for the company. 

Peter had a way with children. He never had to do much for children to come scrambling his way. His stories weren't the longest or most brilliant and still they were always the best. I think children could just sense that here was a man who would listen to them and treat them right without any fancy toys or tricks. He talked fondly of De Bono but I would have liked to have read Peter's book on child interaction. My children were all lucky to have him in their lives and I feel sad for the smaller grandchildren who will miss out on that experience. 

Thank you Peter for understanding and loving children. 

So many memories of Peter flying across the world to be with us - Peter and Kristin walking the last few miles with us to the Pacific ocean, Peter and Kristin laughing over Singapore slings, Peter up on an elephant with a small Aurora, Peter and Kristin searching for kangaroos and koalas in the bush, Peter's hands stained purple from hours of crouching in the blueberry bushes with the kids, Peter on our walks into Grimstad offering to buy me any house I commented on, Peter on the boardwalk working in the Canary Islands, Peter walking the alphabet trail with Aurora in Fontainebleau, Peter and Kristin building snowmen and playing scrabble in Chamonix. 

Thank you Peter for so many fun times. 

To the end Peter made all of us feel important. 

Peter and I were different in many ways but we shared the same endless curiosity in the working and minutiae of the world, a desire for truth and logic to prevail, and a strong love of the natural world. I will truly miss your company and presence.  

The great teacher!

                                       

The enthusiasm!

The skill!

The pure joy!