2010: Reflection, Renaissance & Renewed interest in All things Peter!

Auld Lang Syne Time. A time to party hearty? Perhaps. A time for reflection? For me, definitely.  

When 2010 began, I was already deeply immersed in Peter's book, "You Can't Afford the Luxury of a Negative Thought" which has helped change my life with thunderous force. This was my introduction to Peter McWilliams.  And I haven't been the same, since.

The very first thing I read about Peter was the Wikipedia article about him.   Who was this great writer, I wondered? I wanted to write Peter to thank him.  Alas, the first line of this article stunned, shocked and saddened me: "Peter McWilliams WAS......."  I stumbled through this sad sentence.  My heart could go no further.  I felt as if I had lost someone so achingly close to me. I began sobbing my eyes out.   I was so angry that one with a brain so brilliant, and a heart so happy, and a life so lively, could be dead so young, so terribly and tragically.

It was in that moment, when I first saw Peter's photo, and that  impish grin of his, decked out in a swanky suit...Within that hurried heartbeat, I felt this overwhelming desire to do something, anything, to honour this man.

On January 3rd, Peter's Page on Myspace was born. Surely, not everyone was thrilled with my desire to remember Peter, but those people are so few and far in between and not worth dwelling upon. So, I forged forward, and resolved never to give up in my quest to honour Peter. 


I hungered for any information that I could find. I combed every nook and cranny of Google.. sweetly stumbling upon the marvelous, beautifully blunt and brilliant Paul Krassner, who from the very beginning, showed me encouragement, support and humour.  I could see why Peter was so taken with Paul's writings.  Also, Peter's longtime friend and co-writer Harold Bloomfield, kindly granted me a fairly extensive interview about Peter, his own demons which he battled with dignity...also I re-posted pieces by Harry S. Browne, William F. Buckley (both, may they rest in peace), and also pieces by fans along the likes of the lovable and talented Rocky Frisco, who had written his own tribute; Brian Wright, who has written many a blog about Peter and who has shown me so much encouragement through it all.. and also the musings of Rogier van Bakel who posted a most excellent tribute to Peter by naming his own blog "Ain't Nobody's Business.."  And of course, the award-winning writer, Jennifer Brown Banks, who shares my giddy crush on Peter. Always a kind word she gives.  There are other wonderful writers who have allowed me to re-post their Peter pieces; who have accepted me, and I am so grateful for all of their creative input, and kindnesses. I don't want to leave anyone out so no one is-all are thanked profusely on Peter's Page Myspace.


Peter's Page became one of the most searched sites for Peter, on Google, consistently in the top 7 for 2010. I put a lot of energy and heart into the page.  This Fall, Peter's Page Facebook was born. And the daily quote page, which has helped brighten peoples' lives, I am told! 


A blog, began here, to honour Peter, and a Youtube site, 
as well which will soon be home to a special video tribute honouring Peter's life, bravery and works.  And for those who don't already feel  "Peter'ed out" yet,  I wrote, "Still: A Prayer for Peter McWilliams"  which is slowly but surely garnering airplay in the US and Canada. The message is simple. Educate people about Peter through song! I am very grateful to the amazing dj's that keep spinning "Still." You all know who you are because I thank you all the time. :)


I've met so many beautiful fans of Peter, too. People like giving me nicknames and the ones I have been dubbed that I love the most are:  "Peter's Biographer" (thanks, Glenn!); "The Curator of the Peter McWilliams Museum (thanks Steve!) and my personal favourite, "Peter's Angel" (thanks Dave and Raj!)  

Amazing when I think, this all began with a Wikipedia article about Peter. Through my tears.  And at the end of 2010, all the Peter Pages I've begun are now mentioned in the same article...it's come full circle. 

I am grateful for every single moment 2010 has brought.  I'd like to think of 2010 as being a brilliant Renaissance; a McWilliams Movement; a Renewed Interest in all things Peter. 


My goal is to help preserve, protect and promote Peter's legacy and life. And to those lovely hearts who feel I'm doing well in this endeavour, I thank you. Your passion will always propel mine.

I love Peter. And I love you.
~Julia

The Moon and Me

Alone, I shivered, scoping the star-swept skies for signs of change.  My eyes settled upon the prize. 

The moon stood above me, and I felt comforted within her cocoon of silky softness. 

I stood outside at a ridiculous hour to view the lunar eclipse.  The last time a full lunar eclipse happened was over four hundred years ago. I didn't want to miss this one.  

My neck started to speak to me; since the accident the pain has come and gone but at this inconvenient moment, the pain spoke to me with resounding force.   It was then I chose not to let the pain win.  I wanted this moment, and I wanted it to myself.  I could not really look up at the moon very much because it hurt too much.  So I ended up lying down on the cold ground with a good pair of binoculars and some calming cocoa.


Peter talks about expanding our comfort zones; and sometimes that it all might be uncomfortable. This certainly was, but I knew my discomfort was nothing compared to what I was about to witness. We have the rest of our lives to spend slumbering, why not be awake now in this moment?


I felt a little lonely.  I wished I had a special one to whom I could snuggle with, closely.  Someone to watch this with. But then I thought about the lessons of Peter's LOVE 101.  I did not truly need someone there to be with, for I had myself.  But how could I truly be lonely? The serene stars surrounding me were my friends.  The sultry wind was my friend.  The moon was my friend.  And I knew somewhere on the brightest side of Heaven, Peter must have been watching the eclipse too.  I wasn't alone at all.  


I realized how lucky I was to experience this. No neighbours around for they were all slumbering sweetly in their beds.  Too drowsy to delight in this spectacle. And I had this night all to myself!  I owned the night.


A dark spec of charcoal swept across the Moon. Bit by bit, this charcoal colour swallowed the Moon.  One tiny sliver of white light prevailed, until the Moon became crowned in crimson!  What a spectacle.  It stirred my senses.


My neck began speaking again.  When the pain got to be too much, I thought of those who do not have the vision to see such a thing.  I thought of those who are too much in pain to be able to walk outside and view such a thing. And I thought of all those cozy couples-cozy, content, but asleep and missing such a masterpiece.  No dazzling ring a man could slip on my finger could ever compare to the dazzling ring around this moon! I was not lonely after all.

The joy of watching this, and sharing this experience with myself was enough.  Because of Peter's writings I am learning that just me is enough.  Just the moon and me.

Thank you Peter.