Born August 2, 1948

 
It wasn't until after my mom passed away that I realized how much of a past she and Peter shared. Sure a small town - everyone one knows everyone - but Peter just happened to be best friends with Barry Welk who was my mom's older brother. An unlikely combination for anyone who knew the two of them as "adults" but apparently they tore up the town literally as teens together. I'm sure mom crossed paths or was involved in a few of these incidents as I do know for a fact that she and Barry were inseparatable as kids or atleast until she discovered "boys"...anyhow we will never know those stories unless I can sweet talk my uncle into taking a walk down memory lane - if successful I will be sure to share...there was one story about "Pete" dropping the transmission out of his new car by flying over a set of railroad tracks but that was the extent of that story perhaps Uncle Mike can shed some light on that one...
 
Peter loved my mom - without a doubt - no matter what stage in life he was at, good or not so good, that NEVER changed. He thought the world of her and I don't think I would be wrong in thinking his love for her continued to grow even after she died. He really felt she kept him grounded. Both her and Nana. In recent years I would bring up memories I had and he would add the "grown up" details. eg me "drove by the old townhouse on Berkley and showed it to Connor - still looks the same - do you know I still remember the full address and our phone number???" Peter - laughter - "your mom and me had the first months rent and 50 bucks between us and I still didn't have a job down there when we moved you kids down there" me "are you joking???" Peter still laughing "nope but we always figured it out"
 
Apparently mom was his personal financial manager too. He always said she hated to spend money even when he started doing really well she wouldn't spend it. He seemed to think he would have been more disciplined in that area if she was still around to keep on the straight and narrow.
 
Peter wasn't flowery about his love for mom but anyone who knew him at all always knew about mom and his love for her was apparent in the way he spoke about her. He always thought they would grow old together and although he was blessed with some very special women/relationship (Jeanette/Lucie) after mom he tended to have difficulty closing the chapter on the one with mom.
 
It is really hard to put a description to Peter's feeling for mom - quite simply and without a doubt - he really loved her.
 
At the risk of seeming syrupy a famous poem comes to mind - most people only know the first line but if you read through to the end and you knew Peter and heard him talk of mom you just might agree this sums it up much more eloquently than I can - see what you think...
 
Elizabeth Barrett Browning - Sonnets from the Portuguese
 
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! --- and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.
 
Faye Katheryn Welk 1948 - January 18, 1987
Peter Edmund Schnurr 1948 - October 2, 2007