Pete,


My friend, Claudia, shared this with me and I wanted to share it with you because I think it is so true. Even though you are on the other side, I still feel such a strong bond with you. You will be a part of my life and my heart for as long as I live. So, until we are together again, I share the following.


              The Bond Between Mother and Son Lasts a Lifetime

The bond between Mother and Son is a special one

It remains unchanged by time or distance

It is the purest love - unconditional and true

It is understanding of any situation and forgiving of any mistake.


Thank you, Claudia 
  

   
     
   

With a pool in our back yard, every year we had at least two holiday pool parties. Memorial Day, we celebrated the beginning of a sunny and fun summer season. And, Labor Day we celebrated all of the great summer times that had passed and we prepared to wrap up our pool parties for the season.

At every pool party, Pete would wait for the perfect moment and he would "moon" everyone from high above the diving board. He was usually followed by his best friend Traves.  Our friends came to expect it but it always drew hearty applause.

When tomorrow starts without me,
And I'm not there to see,
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
All filled with tears for me;
I wish so much you wouldn't cry
The way you did today.
While thinking of the many things
We didn't get to say.
I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you,
And each time that you think of me,
I know you'll miss me too;
But when tomorrow starts without me,
Please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name,
And took me by the hand,
And said my place was ready,
In heaven far above,
And that I'd have to leave behind
All those I dearly love.
But as I turned to walk away,
A tear fell from my eye
For all my life, I'd always thought,
I didn't want to die.
I had so much to live for,
So much left yet to do,
It seemed almost impossible,
That I was leaving you.     

I thought of all the yesterdays,
The good ones and the bad,
I thought of all the love we shared,
And all the fun we had.
If I could relive yesterday,
Just even for a while,
I'd say good-bye and hug you
And maybe see you smile,
But  then I fully realized,
That this could never be,
For emptiness and memories,
Would take the place of me.
And when I thought of worldly things, I
might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you, and when I did,
My heart was filled with sorrow.
But when I walked through heaven's gates,
I felt so much at home.
When God looked down and smiled at me,
From His great golden throne,
He said, "This is eternity,
And all I've promised you."
Today your life on earth is past,
But here life starts anew.
I promise no tomorrow,
But today will always last,
And since each day's the same way
There's no longing for the past.
You have been so faithful,
So trusting and so true.
Though there were times
You did some things
You knew you shouldn't do.
But you have been forgiven
And now at last you're free.
So won't you come and take my hand
And share my life with me?

So when tomorrow starts without me,
Don't think we're far apart,
For every time you think of me,
I'm right here, in your heart.


Anonymous        
                                          

During Pete's three years at Heritage High School in Littleton, Colorado, one of Pete's nicknames was "Iron Man Pete."

Pete was an excellent athlete. During his middle-school, Pete led the basketball team (he had a verticle jump of nearly 5', ) and won numerous blue ribbons in track. By the time he went to high school, he was too short for basketball and turned to track and football. He excelled in track (he ran varsity track in his Sophomore year and competed in hurdles, pole vault, and relay races,) and in football (he ran varsity track in his Sophomore year and the team even had a play named after him.) During his Sophomore year in 1991 and in his Junior year in 1992 the school held a annual "Iron Eagle Competition" for its athletes.

I was so proud of Pete that I recorded the scores for the 1991 competion. The scores were as follows:

Sophomore class average  - - 12 Points

The Top Scores ranged from 20 to 26 Points:

Pete Santeusanio        -                     31 Points    

During the Heritage High 1992 Iron Eagle Competion, Pete was in his Junior year.

The Junior Class Average      -       22.8 Points  

The Senior Class Average      -       23.5 Points

The 5 top scores ranged from 29 through 34 Points.

The top Senior score was      -  41 Points   

Pete Santeusanio score was  -  42 Points  (Pete was a Junior at this time)

      
 

                

Pete, Aside from the candles I have lit, it has been some time since I wrote to you. I think about you every day. Please know that you are not forgotten but in my heart all of the time.

Christmas is three days away and it has not been the same since I lost you.

I write to Steph once in awhile and have invited her to visit us but, so far, she hasn't. Perhaps some time in the future she will.

We attended the international candle-lighting ceremony on December 13th and as always it was very emotional but very beautiful. It is a time when I feel very close to you. Pete, I know that you are in the arms of the angels but I still feel so lost without you.

I love you with whole heart.

Love, 

Mom    XXXX    OOOO       

To my Boy Nasty P


Not a day goes bye that I don't think about you, that I don't talk to you, that I don't look at the picture of us on my visor. I lost contact with everyone after I lost you. I have felt responsible since you left. You and I were together all the time ever since you came back from the army. You were the greatest thing to enter my life. The years we spent every day together, working and hanging out. We were always there for each other no matter what.

I have always regreted moving away from you when you needed me the most. I believe that if I would have stayed, you would still be here today. I will carry that the rest of my life. I miss you so much, Pete. I'm just glad that you were a part of my life. I'm sorry, Buddy.

I love you always.

Your Boy, Gary     

Today is the day my heart aches for your Mother. If there was one wish that I would be granted from God, that wish would be to bring you home again. You were the heart and soul for your Mom. When you left us, her entire life collapsed around her. I try so hard to be some type of comfort to her but I know that the loss of you can never be accepted. I love your Mom so very much that when the opportunity arrives that I can make her smile and laugh, I jump at the chance. My loss is that we never had enough time to get to know each other. I regret that to this day. I know that you are in the arms of angels and God has his arms around you. I miss you.

Love,

George

Last night I dreamt about you again. I was dreaming about when we were little kids and all of the fun and stupid things we would do together. I remember the time when there was a thunder storm that was so loud, and I was so scared, I asked if I could sleep with you. You said yes, but told me not to snore and take all of the covers. There are so many times I have wonderful memories like this. I miss you so very much.

Sometimes I look back and think, if there was only something I could have said, or something I could have done. You made me feel safe from that thunder storm and I should have made you feel safe being your big sister. I am sorry for letting you down. I am sorry for missing out on so many things, and I am sorry for not being there.

I will never be able to take back or have that time back, but if I could, I would wish for one more afternoon, with you to laugh, play, talk and tell you all of the things I never did, and only hope you know.

My son Iason, your nephew, is two years old now and sometimes he does things and has these looks on his face that remind me so much of you. In fact, he has some of the same characteristics as you. It is weird. You would love him, and he would have loved you!   

There will always remain a place in my heart just for you.

I love and miss you so very much.

Love your big sister, Kris       

      

Baby, there are absolutely no words to possibly describe how I feel. Here I am, 2 years without you and yet I still wait to hear you laugh. I am so sorry that you felt such darkness and such loneliness. I am not the same and will never be, but I smile to know that you feel no more pain, no more headaches, no more seizures. I am sad that you didn't see the snow fall today. It was beautiful, just like you. I miss you Pete, with every ounce of my shattered heart.

Your wife forever 

Steph Santeusanio (wife) 

Pete could run like a jack rabbit, eat like a sumo wrestler, and defend his friends like a gladiator. He was a gifted athlete, an exceedingly loyal friend, and loved life with a vengeance. Our family knew and loved him through elementary school, middle school and high school. He and our son, Kyle, graduated from Heritage High School together. We owe a big thank you to his Mother, Gerry, for allowing us to be a part of her son's life. Pete was always ready for a new adventure. Someplace new to go - someplace new to see. He made several trip to Lake Powell with us, a trip to Lake of the Ozards, and several camping trips. Climbing the highest mountain, crossing the wildest river, and following every rainbow was what Pete was all about. Even now I can see my son, Kyle and Pete, looking for the highest cliff to jump off at Lake Powell. I can picture the two of them water skiing double behind our boat, looking for the biggest wake to jump. I remember one particularly funny incident on our many trips to Lake Powell. We had gone to the restaurant at the marina, which happened to have a large buffet. Now, you have to understand that taking Pete to a buffet was about as good as giving him a brand new bicycle for Christmas. He could eat non-stop. We always thought he had a hollow leg for sure. We'd be finished eating and he was still up going for a second or thrird round of dessert. Where he put all that food, I'll never know, but we sure enloyed it because he enjoyed it so much. Physically, Kyle was a little guy up until college. It was always his older brother, Troy's job to protect him in high school until he and all his friends graduated ahead of Kyle. Then Pete took over. Anybody that ever bothered Kyle knew they would have Pete to contend with. He was profoundly loyal. He was never a great big guy in size, but he sure was in heart. From the first time he stepped foot in our house, I can remember thinking, "He struts around like a little banny rooster." He was exceeding confident, smart and a very happy kid. I remember one time when he was over visiting Kyle, we spotted a bunny rabbit in our front yard. I mentioned to the boys that I'd always wanted a pet rabbit, and that's all I had to say because before I knew it, Pete was chasing that silly rabbit all over the front yard, and he caught it. There was a reason he was a football star and a track star. I'll always remember that grin on his face. My husband, Bob, teased Pete relentlessly. Pete would just shake his head and come back with some quick-witted comment. He as such a good sport. I have a special spot in my heart for Pete Santeusanio. I always have, and always will. I loved him like I love my own two wonderful sons.. I know in my heart that God will take care of him now, and I know that he is at peace.


Vicky Schultz (Friend) 

These are the written words on the card I sent to Grace Point Community Church in Littleton with flowers.


Pete, You are the "Son of Me."  

You are my heart.

You are the soul of my life.

I love you dearly.

All my love, Son,


Mom  

     

These are the words printed, and written, on a sympathy card I received from my sister. The words are so meaningful to me that I wanted to add them to this site.

The printed words are as follows:

There is so very little
that one can say or do
To bring you comfort at this time
and help to strengthen you.

But may it somehow help to ease
the loss that you must bear
To know that there are many hearts
that understand and care.            

My sister's written words are as follows:

Dear Gerry ---

These words brought me comfort -- I think they are just so beautiful.

"Some lives are like a song -
Every note rare and precious.
We feel lucky to have heard the music."   

I cry when I read them, but still I read them.

Your loss of your youngest child can't be understood by anyone who hasn't been there, but know that you're not alone. You have all of us to help see you through. Be strong.   

Gerry, I love you so much.

Carole        

  

           

    

                                        
   

God lent me my greatest gift.

     ...To enrich my life

     ...To make me laugh

     ...To make me proud. 

He was there when, at times, no one else was.

     ...To encourage me

     ...To support me

     ...To help lift me up when life dealt yet another challenge.

Our time together was far too short, and yet, I will be forever grateful.

      ...To have had the privilege of sharing his life

     ...To have been his friend   

     ...To have had the honor of being his Mother.


Lord,

        Thank you, from my very soul, for my "special" gift.

Pete,

        Be at peace and rest in the arms of the angels.

        You will be forever in my prayers and in my heart.

Mom

          
     
June 17, 2004

Gerry Santo-Curtin