September 19, 2011 Monday

Memorial Paddleout for Novato Pete - Part 2.

Today I found an outpouring of feelings about yesterday's celebration for Pete in this morning's emails. Here are a few. Thanks to Mary for preserving them and for the photos.

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I stayed behind just to relish the moment, the flowers in the water, the beauty and to take more photos. To make the experience even more amazing, the two bottlenose dolphins, ("Flipper") had been swimming back and forth behind us the whole time. Apparently they are uncommon this far north, but there have been sightings recently. As I was sitting there, they approached close enough for me to hear them breathing. They hung out with their dorsal fins and entire back exposed. I couldn't help but think of Pete and his love of nature, and his talk of coming back as a Peregrine falcon.
Mary
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Such a gorgeous day, and quite a contrast to many of the stormy days I’d also spent surfing with him. But I’ll probably remember him like this. Besides his interest in mushrooms, as Jacek mentioned, he also noticed wildflowers. Periodically he would mention different flowers he would see on a hike, or driving to the beach. During some of the last times I spent with him, and the initial burst of Spring flowers had faded, he had said that there seemed to be a new flush of flowers happening. He thought it might have to do with the early summer rain that we got. I asked if one of the flowers looked kind of like a poppy with four pink petals (it did). I let him know that it was a Clarkia, and was commonly called “Farewell-to-Spring”. I picked some north of Mt. Tam a couple days after he left us, and floated them off today. Farewell to Pete.
David
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The tribute was really sweet, funny and sad but the most amazing thing for me besides us all sharing our stories and getting to know a few people on a much deeper level was after we paddled back to the beach. My husband, myself and Windy stood and watched two dolphins going back and fourth in the background where our circle was. They did this for about 10 or 15 minutes, they we're very purposeful going back and fourth, seemingly stopping and raising their backs towards the sun. I really feel it was Pete letting us know he is ok and he really appreciated our circle of love in our surfer family.

After we all went downtown for coffee and sharing stories, Dennis and I went back to the beach. And lo and behold a majority of the flowers we put out in the ocean washed up in a beautiful pattern along the beach where we gathered before the paddle out. I was struck by upwelling of emotions and just enjoyed it with my eyes and my heart. Peace,
Cazadero Cathy
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I was in Chicago this weekend and spent an hour at 10 central time Sunday morning meditating for Pete and knowing the paddleout was happening. I have read the emails and seen the pictures that have been circulated. Pete might be surprised but I am sure he would be happy that he is responsible for bonding the AM Bo crew in a rather extraordinary way. He was an important part of the tapestry and always will be.
Hank
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It was a grand morning, indeed. Crying, longing and laughing.... talk about the proverbial emotional roller coaster! The ocean, the beach, Bolinas and especially YOU ALL would often have me recounting certain day’s events at the beach and I would shake my head finding myself laughing aloud to things done or said that morning. There are many and I’m sure all of you will recognize these and have even more of your own; Dexter's many moods and hair styles, Russ' constant 'coaching' to Frank and Frank's obvious mute button to Russ' running commentary, Ray's standing in the line-up at the Channel, Marty's kind and helpful answer's to my often ignorant nature questions, Mary's beaming face on completing a particularly excellent ride (don't ever play poker, Mary... you can't hide the Royal Flush), Jack's boundless energy in and out of the water, Loren (aka Lorenzo) documenting our morning shenanigans and finding some surf in the 'Gentleman's Hour', DB’s glowing stoke NO MATTER what the weather or conditions, David's daily Pepper Ridge Farm 'Milano' cookie ritual (two only), Mark's hilarious and sharp wit, Hank's casual cool surfing and gentlemanly behavior, Bridget's daily surf session count, Drew sneaking out for a few waves before he has to man the counter back at the shop, Hans with the 'Gash-Nose' blue board, Cathy (Legs) driving in the middle of the night just to catch a few waves with her pals in the morning, Jacek's amazing skill, wry grin and cool board collection, Doug's gruff stoke, Rob’s pensive and positive attitude, and so much more. Thank you ALL for being there, not only at Pete's memorial but for every morning at Bo where we all met, share waves and our lives. You see, I feel that with Pete’s passing, as a group we’ve become a bit closer and with that I feel like the luckiest guy around. It’s all of this! The faces, the sayings, smiles, stories, tears and beauty.... Like a sunny, glassy morning with the swell popping just right, with ALL of you in the line-up…. Well, heck…I'll most definitely take it with me when I go. Thanks, you guys. You're the greatest! See you kids in the water soon.
Jaime
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Dear Mary,

Sami (Pete's daughter) had forward us your email and link to the YouTube paddle out.

Thank you so much for sharing your incredible day you had in memory of my brother Pete. I'm only sorry I couldn't be there to share with you his life, his friendship, and his love we all had for Pete. Most important, my deepest thanks to you and to all his friends for loving Pete the way you did. He often spoke so highly with affection for his surfing and biking groups. Our family finds peace knowing he had such an incredible "friend family" community.

What a blessing for you all that the dolphins showed up when they did. We too had a nature experience of large birds (probably hawks) soaring overhead when we spread his ashes on Mt. Tam. God is good!

It is with deepest appreciation to all of you.

With love and gratitude,

Sue Jones (Pete's sister)