Journal Entry 10/1/96
After the "funeral" gathering, I wrote this and put it on film. Peter's "funeral" was the most meaningful gathering and honoring of someone's life I'd ever been to. Peter was the most talented entertainer/drummer I'd ever known/met. He had a 3 fifth a day vodka habit, and at the time he died, I had a meth habit and had gone thru a harrowing pill habit. Peter's dad sent me a letter saying he couldn't understand why his son didn't want to stop drinking. Poor man, I thought. He musn't blame himself. No one that's never been an addict can really understand "why" completely, and for their sake I hope they never do. Peter manaaged to quit booze for a year before he returned to drinking, then died 2 years after he started up again. A year longer than the Dr. told him he'd have. At the time of his death, Peter was 47 years old.
Dear Peter,
You have been on my mind quite alot today. Your gathering of friends was beautiful and they all loved you well. I'm happy they did you justice. Did you see me? I gave you a tribute, I raised my glass to you. I wanted you to know your life was not lived in vain. I salute you. Thankyou for sharing all your wonderful God given gifts with your friends. You had gifts I never knew you had. I loved your comedy and I loved your spirit. I saw parts of your acting on film. You were great! I knew you could act, but not THIS well.
I didn't know you could sing. I knew you could play drums, but again, never THIS well until tonight when I saw you on film at your gathering of friends, your farewell party. I never saw you in action doing these "voice overs" but you could mimic anyone too well. I saw you on film tonight when you acted on stage. How well you performed. You were funnier than hell. You always brought with you your big heart and you always meant well. You led a fascinating life!
The people you met, the places you'd been, the outrageously funny things you did and said left me speechless time after time. With such a big heart you possesed, it is a wonder you could love anyone other than yourself. For that, I'm truly sorry. Please as you look your life over, recognise your mistakes, I pray that you find it in your heart to forgive yourself. Try to heal your pain because your life was not lived in vain.
Be at peace, Peter. Be with God. A part of you will always remain with me and your friends. Thankyou for your friendship. Thankyou for your music. Thankyou for your laughter. Your life was not in vain. I wish you peace. I wish for you to be free of pain. For anything you did that you're not proud of, know that I forgive you, even if you cannot forgive yourself for now. Know that we, your friends love you. We4 love the man and forgive the mistakes. We salute you Peter B. Wiltshire. We salute you.
In loving memory of Peter Bernard Wiltshire 1939-1996.
After the "funeral" gathering, I wrote this and put it on film. Peter's "funeral" was the most meaningful gathering and honoring of someone's life I'd ever been to. Peter was the most talented entertainer/drummer I'd ever known/met. He had a 3 fifth a day vodka habit, and at the time he died, I had a meth habit and had gone thru a harrowing pill habit. Peter's dad sent me a letter saying he couldn't understand why his son didn't want to stop drinking. Poor man, I thought. He musn't blame himself. No one that's never been an addict can really understand "why" completely, and for their sake I hope they never do. Peter manaaged to quit booze for a year before he returned to drinking, then died 2 years after he started up again. A year longer than the Dr. told him he'd have. At the time of his death, Peter was 47 years old.
Dear Peter,
You have been on my mind quite alot today. Your gathering of friends was beautiful and they all loved you well. I'm happy they did you justice. Did you see me? I gave you a tribute, I raised my glass to you. I wanted you to know your life was not lived in vain. I salute you. Thankyou for sharing all your wonderful God given gifts with your friends. You had gifts I never knew you had. I loved your comedy and I loved your spirit. I saw parts of your acting on film. You were great! I knew you could act, but not THIS well.
I didn't know you could sing. I knew you could play drums, but again, never THIS well until tonight when I saw you on film at your gathering of friends, your farewell party. I never saw you in action doing these "voice overs" but you could mimic anyone too well. I saw you on film tonight when you acted on stage. How well you performed. You were funnier than hell. You always brought with you your big heart and you always meant well. You led a fascinating life!
The people you met, the places you'd been, the outrageously funny things you did and said left me speechless time after time. With such a big heart you possesed, it is a wonder you could love anyone other than yourself. For that, I'm truly sorry. Please as you look your life over, recognise your mistakes, I pray that you find it in your heart to forgive yourself. Try to heal your pain because your life was not lived in vain.
Be at peace, Peter. Be with God. A part of you will always remain with me and your friends. Thankyou for your friendship. Thankyou for your music. Thankyou for your laughter. Your life was not in vain. I wish you peace. I wish for you to be free of pain. For anything you did that you're not proud of, know that I forgive you, even if you cannot forgive yourself for now. Know that we, your friends love you. We4 love the man and forgive the mistakes. We salute you Peter B. Wiltshire. We salute you.
In loving memory of Peter Bernard Wiltshire 1939-1996.
