Remembering Bill

My Uncle Bill died early this week in his truck of natural causes. He was 57 years old. Most of you won't know anything about him or that my dad even had a brother. I don't know enough of his story to give any background, and what I do know doesn't need to be told. Here are some reflections and memories of my Uncle Bill.

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I've been thinking a lot about my Uncle Bill this week. Just about everything. I wish I could have known him better. I only met the man once in my life! He was always an elusive character to me growing up. We used to send him a Christmas package every year, but eventually we stopped because it made him feel bad that he had nothing to give in return.

I also recall a few letters he wrote to my dad. The paper was thick, and it smelled of cigarette smoke. He would include a few scented sticks or something to mask it.

We have a few pictures of Bill at our house. My favorites are the ones of him as a kid - the awful junior high school picture and cute portraits of  him as a little boy.

He would call once in a blue moon to talk to my dad. This would always get my dad going. I know he loves his brother, but talking to him would only bring sadness and frustration.

As a kid, the impression I got from my dad was that he didn't like his brother and that they certainly didn't get along. I understand better now the situation and their relationship. My dad shared with us the legendary story of Billy and rock n' roll star Randy Rhodes. My brothers all have copies of the old photograph of the two young rockers.

I finally met my Uncle Bill at age 13. We went on a family vacation to California to visit the Petersons, go to Great America theme park, see San Francisco, and visit my brother JR, his wife Kristen, and their new baby, Cali. (Probably the best family vacation, hands down.) Anyway, Bill showed up with his girlfriend Linda while we were at Nana's. I was intrigued by this man that looked so much like my father, and yet was so very different from him. At times I thought he was crazy because he repeated himself a lot and didn't always make much sense. I had almost been taught to be afraid of him. But I liked him. He was so fascinating and different from anyone I'd ever met. And he's my Uncle.

There's so much I don't know about him. But here's what I do know: Billy made many wrong choices early in life. He has had to live with the consequences of those choices for the rest of his days. Despite all of this, he was a good man. He had dreams and ambitions. Big dreams. He had real talent - as a musician. as an artist. as a writer. He had a good heart. A big heart. He lived a simple life. in his truck. in various parking lots. He was and is loved, and he loved.

For whatever reason, his time to exit this part of life was now. but he is still living, and in a much better place. I look forward to the day when I will be able to meet him again. without all of the hardening effects of life on his body and mind. We can have a Peterson Jam Session :) I'm grateful for the Plan of Happiness and the peace it brings to me and can now bring to my Uncle Bill.

Love you, Uncle Bill. Rest in peace.

Year in Review

A new year brings plans for needed changes and achieving dreams, as well as looking back and seeing where you stood a year ago and marveling at the distance traveled. I think it's safe to say that everyone does these things, to varying degrees. My goals were set December 31, but I didn't Really start to ponder the past year until last night. 

In a nutshell, 2012 was a pretty fantastic year for me and definitely the most eventful year to date. So here's my year in review:

• Began my last semester of college. Woot!
• Started dating Wes :)
• Started writing songs and loved it
• Started dating Wes. Seriously
• Graduated from BYU with my Bachelor's. Yay!
• Fell in love
• Got engaged
• Planned a wedding
• Received my endowment
• Got married to the love of my life!
• First time on an airplane
• First time on a cruise ship
• First time outside the US
• Moved out of my parent's home
• Moved across the country
• First Notre Dame football game
• Called to serve in a Branch
• Home for Christmas :) plus many more things

I had big plans for 2012. I knew I was going to graduate...then what? I wanted to move out, buy my own car, get a full-time job, live the 'single' life, and think about a mission, future career/more schooling, and eventually marriage. Well, I think I can check most, if not all, of those big things off the list even if they did happen in the most unexpected ways. And I believe I have Wesley to thank for that. I'm so grateful for the way it all happened, unexpected or not, because it's exactly what I needed. 2012 was a year of firsts. And second chances :)

So here's to 2013! Who knows what will happen? But I'm excited to live it and love it knowing Wes will be right there with me.