Well, I said I'd be back to say more about Pete, and here I am.  Quite frankly, I'm still dealing with the loss.  Even though we never met face-to-face, he was truly a wonder to me--somewhat of a "guardian angel", if you will.

Picture this--you're a 40 year old female, single, and you've been independent since you were 18.  You've got your own business,  your own home, a relationship that you think is forever, a pretty nice car, and you feel you're on the right path. And for a while, all is going well--the American Dream, and all that.  Suddenly, an illness comes out of nowhere.  Hey, it happens.  You lose almost everything--the business, the relationship, material possessions, your pride, your confidence, and your health.  You're very sick, you can't work, and your friends don't know how to deal with your illness--slowly, they become distant, because they simply don't know what to do. Luckily, your family is close, so you do have some support, but they can only do so much.  You become so lonely and depressed that your computer is your new best friend.  And so, in an attempt to remain connected to the world, you try this blogging thing on a lark.

Miraculously, you meet someone in your computer wanderings that doesn't want anything more than to be your friend, to support you, and to help you.  As most of you know, at least those of you who have been around the block at least once, this kind of thing just does not happen.  Not without some kind of strings attached. 

But Pete Lustig was that person.  Along with his wonderful and amazing partner, Penny, he was a constant source of support and advice, and he believed in me when I did not believe in myself anymore.  He encouraged me at every turn, told me that I could make it--I would just have a different life now, because I would be on a different path.  And I could talk to Pete about anything--ideas, fears, relationships, you name it.  He listened without judging, which is a rare quality in a person. Penny and Pete were always there, ready to lend an ear, a hand, and sometimes, a shoulder to cry on.

You see, I had always had a dream of becoming some sort of writer, but I always felt that I didn't have the education or the talent to actually do it. My family and friends always encouraged me to try, but I didn't know where to start. Well, Pete gave me my dream on a silver platter.  He introduced me to Marcos Menendez (another fine person, I might add), whom he worked with at an online marketing company called Loop Consulting.  They produce online newsletters, and other online marketing materials.  Pete got me a job working with them, and now I'm doing more and more projects.  So not only am I a freelance writer now, I'm referred to as Loop Consulting Group's Chief Editor.  Not bad for someone with no college education and no confidence in herself.  And it never would have happened without Pete.  My family is thankful and proud, and they will be eternally grateful to Pete for helping me to find my way.  How do you thank someone for completely changing your life?

And I was always amazed at his boundless energy and creativity.  In my opinion, Pete was truly a genius in many ways.  It was very easy to forget that Pete was 85. His mind was always turning out new ideas, and he was brilliant.  I only wish I could have met him sooner so that I could have learned more about his amazing life, and learned more from him as well.  He was a person of quality, with a heart that offered love freely.  As I stated before, Pete was rare.  I've never met anyone like him, and I likely never will again.

I still miss him everyday, as I'm sure his family, friends, and everyone he touched does.  People like Prescott T. "Pete" Lustig come along once in a lifetime, and it makes me sad that our time together as friends was so brief.  But I'm thankful to have even known him at all.  When I asked him once how I could ever thank him, he simply told me to keep doing what I'm doing--that was what would make him happiest.  So everyday, I keep at it, and I hope that he's looking down on me, and that I'm making him proud.

So, if you take nothing else from this, take with you the idea of being a better person.  As friends and mentors go, Pete was the example that all others should follow.  He actually did things for people with no other motive than to help.  His generous spirit will live on in all the people he touched, including myself. 

Farewell, my dear friend.  I miss you.