We are a family that needed to speak, no, more than that…we wanted to tell the story. Give our memories

life. We wanted to reach the son, the brother, the man, the father and friend, and, to share those memories

and so bring Pete into our lives again…and, importantly: to help those who will never shake his hand or hug

him tightly - know this man, just a little bit better.

We searched for a way over his sea and peered into the mists - driven by our need to be with the missing

part of our lives. Then we figured it - we could make a Forever bridge…and we did. We could take our

memories and write about them, speak about them and show them… we could also share our today’s….as

we have….one step at a time.

Our bridge is here - anchored at the Steenbras river mouth and stretching over the waters he so loved. We

can take a few steps out and along our Forever bridge, stop and look down and around and feel and smell

the sea. Turn our heads into the wind and hear ‘Aztec’ somewhere below - her churning arrow like wake and

sound of the pounding hull sending bursts of early morning spray and joy into the air - her way of celebrating

purpose. Its so real we get caught up in the moment - ready to join Pete on yet another trip into the day and

the future - the air around us filled with anticipation, excitement and hope. And, feeling a part of all of this we

climb higher - into the mists and a more private world where we can be with Pete and the other dear ones

who are missing today…

There we can speak our minds, shout and scream, our words and tears not only becoming the mist and its

echo but also reminding us as we stand closer to him, of our love and the strength of togetherness…

This is for us all as it is for those yet to come…and, to quote one of your children Pete…

…As I rest my keyboard, I can already think of the next ten things that fit only you, Dad, and it makes me smile. Something that has been quite hard to accomplish recently... I wish I had started my list earlier…many years ago, in fact. Maybe it would have been easier and taught me to observe and pay attention to the important little things a long time ago – and remember them! I certainly watch the people in my life more closely now. I watch their individual personalities and things that make them unique in my life. 