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Peter the Writer

May 15, 2023
One of Peter's favorite activities was writing down his favorite words. There are several pictures in the gallery of him busy at this activity, often with his Grandma, whose patience was unfailing. At one point an aide at the Spectrum School tried to help Peter reduce the size of his large letters. Peter got the idea and ran with it. His letters became so tiny that you couldn't tell what they were unless you already knew what word he was writing. 

Peter used to steal my pens, so often that I finally got a lockable pencil case to keep them in! It was frustrating at the time. Now it seems charming. All of many many spiral notebooks were peppered with pages beginning: Barney, school, blue olive, baby, girl...One day after Peter moved to his new home I went through my notebooks and cleaned them up. And when Peter died I couldn't find a scrap of his writing. I was so sad.

So imagine my joy when, recently, going through some notebooks in a box, I found one I'd missed during my big cleanup. Here is a specimen of his fervent, happy writing, which makes me so happy and so sad to see.  

First Escape

August 30, 2021
Peter liked to explore. Sometimes we would be asked if he was likely to "bolt," but we didn't like the phrase, which made it sound like Peter was running from something, and at a faster pace than he ever used. He just always liked to see what was out there. Of course, "escape" isn't any better! 

One morning in San Francisco when Ron was taking out the recycling and had put the gate blocking the stairs aside for that reason, I heard the usual rattling as someone searched our recycling for cans that could be returned for their deposits. Then suddenly a voice called, "Yo! Your baby down here!" I rushed down to find Peter in his yellow sleepers; he had slid down the carpeted stairs one at a time on his butt and was ready to explore the great outdoors. Little did we know it would be the first of many times he set forth on adventures without our blessing.  

Our Friendly Neighborhood Police Officers

August 30, 2021
While we lived in San Francisco Peter attended a Saturday program that had a door that could be easily pushed open. The program was not allowed to make the door more difficult to use due to fire regulations. Peter used this door frequently, he seemed to know just when someone caring for him had gotten distracted. At home, too, he occasionally got away. He crossed Guerrero, something we heard about with our heart in our throats. He visited the housing projects a couple blocks from us. The police returned him to us more than once, and at Christmas one year they brought him a stuffed toy. We were appreciative, yes, but also a little embarrassed!

The Great Escape, San Francisco Version

August 30, 2021
Finally we bought a device with two parts that would beep if those two parts were more than four feet apart. We sent this to school and Saturday program. One Saturday the group visited Pier 39 and spent some time in an arcade, where the beep couldn't be heard. You guessed it, as soon as his caretakers were busy with other children Peter made a break for it. When his loss was discovered the leader called Pier 39 security. Before long they were reassured, Peter could be found at the nearby aquarium that was there at the time. How he got in without paying we'll never know, but he was found lying on the moving sidewalk, staring in at the fish in their tanks. He always loved water! By the time he was reclaimed, Peter was sitting in someone's lap having his back scratched. With or without language, he always seemed able to get his needs met! 

Peter Gets Back at Us

August 30, 2021
Sometime when Peter was between four and six, we were at the zoo--at the playground, Peter's favorite part. He had had a long turn on the swings and we insisted he get off so other children could have their turn, a concept Peter didn't appreciate. But he knew how to get back at us. He grabbed at the french fries we had bought him as a consolation, dropped some onto the filthy ground, grabbed them back up, stuffed them in his mouth, and signed: Dirty!!!

First Hug

July 17, 2021
Peter was seven years old when I took an eight-day trip to England to do some research for a novel I was writing, leaving Peter and his brother Joe in the care of my husband and my mother. Up to that time he had never expressed affection to me (or others) in any way: no signs, no hugs--though he did like to climb into bed with us. Ron picked me up at the airport on my return and we drove back to our home in Berkeley, where Grandma waited for us with the kids. The moment I walked in the door Peter ran to me and gave me a huge hug. It's a moment I'll never forget. Since then there have been many, many hugs, some spontaneous, and some obligatory. They have all been precious, but none has been as precious to me as that first. 

the dreaded tire swing...

June 16, 2021
Peter loved tire swings.  We put up a play structure in the back  yard for him.  He could go around and around and around and... well, you get the idea.  The thing about tire swings is when you are pushing him, you either have to time it so you're pushing on his body or you grab the chain.  If you mis-grab the chain, then you might have your finger go into a link and then it will keep turning and your finger won't twist, so it breaks.  And that's how I have a crocket little finger...

Cheese

June 14, 2021
One of my favorite memories of Peter happened at my folks house in Fairfield. I don't remember the year but he had gone into the fridge, found a large package of sliced cheddar and proceeded to eat several pieces right there at the fridge. I found him standing at the fridge and put a few slices on a plate for him. He then tried to put the whole package on the plate and I signed "No, only this" and he didn't like that. LOL! He took the package and the plate and bolted out of the kitchen. I followed him and Uncle Ron caught him in the foyer and he negotiated for a few more slices before he sat to eat them at the table.  There are so many stories- but I think that sticks in my memory because it was the first time I remember him really letting me know that my taking his cheese was absolutely unacceptable. LOL!
June 13, 2021
One of my favorite memories of Peter was his early love of water. We were living in Washington State but came down to visit family and we had gathered at Chuck and Karen’s house in Fairfield.  It was a warm day and we all went swimming in the pool including Peter.  One by one we tired out and came out of the pool to rest butPeter swam and swam and swam and never tired of it.  You could read his face and see how much fun he was having.  I’m not sure what year that was or his exact age but he was still quite young. 

Music

June 11, 2021
There are so many memories to share but one of my favorites is when the family got together and played instruments and sang. He was always so excited and had a big smile on his face. He was always glad to spend time with the extended family and we were glad he was with us

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