One year ago - last letter to my mom before she died of breast cancer

Loving Mother,

Congratulations on your 70th year – it is a remarkable milestone by any measure. Often at these moments, the soul looks back and sometimes the path that you are on looks different when you turn around. It seems to me, that your life has been a narrative of grace…

I owe you a debt of gratitude; you orchestrated my youth into a symphony that would play throughout my lifetime. There were lessons on nutrition, literature, being good to the planet. My love of art came from you along with everything tied to it like imagination, creativity, and how anything is possible.

You have always been a good mother. A good mother is the one who brings out the best in her child. When I was young, you said that I was special – I know that this is just something that parents tell their children, the important thing is that I believed it. You always made me feel ten feet tall and I love you for that.

They say in a hundred years from now, it will not matter what was in your bank account, nor the sort of house you lived in, nor the kind of car you drove... but the world may be different because you were important in the life of a child. That child is me.

My appreciation of education and knowledge came from you. When I arrived at Clarkson University, I stood in front of a monument to Archimedes, the inscription quote read, "Give me a firm place to stand and I will move the earth". His reference was to the fulcrum and lever, however, I think that it has many more meanings…

I have come to believe, like an unfinished pyramid that awaits a capstone, that this time in history has been waiting for me. I have been working on a blueprint for a better world and wherever there is injustice, I will be the sword of Saint Michael to strike it down.

It pains me to see you giving away your possessions at this time in your life – please do not distribute any more to me. I find treasure in the middle of our hands when they are held together or in the corner of your smile. My gift is knowing that you have seen me grow to be a good man.

I will see you soon and always in my prayers, your loving son,
Pete