To My Beloved Cousin.

Mike...

You are such a beautiful person. There are no words I can think of to begin to describe your passion for life and how light-hearted and optimistic you were. I know you are only 18, but you were and continue to be so inspiring. You had so many goals and so many ambitions and you were so adamant about achieving them. At 17, you had a better job than many people get in their entire life. You had bought your own car and were beginning to establish an adult life- a step that four years your senior, I am only beginning to take. You were a real go-getter. I always admired that in you because I have always been hesitant and a lot less hopeful. You always found the best in situations and always cared about those around you. Even just by inviting Alisha and I to your church, which I know was one of the most important things in your life, I knew we were important to you. And we came, because you are so important to us.

I have so many memories with you that I cannot even start to reflect. I remember when we were little, a basketball hoop in your backyard fell on us and I started crying. I looked over at you, and you were laughing. I feel so blessed to have you in my family, to have been able to spend every Thanksgiving and every Christmas with you for your entire life. Just last month, we went to lunch for my graduation and exchanged a look across the table. It was one of those looks that lets you know everything a person is thinking in a split second. It was one of those looks that only friends can share. We didn't even have to say a word, we just laughed at that single look. One thing I will always remember is that when I was in high school, you said, "it's so cool that Venyce wears band shirts and gets straight A's." I love that you thought I was cool, because I always thought you were cool too, and I loved our shared music tastes. I remember me, you, Matt and Alisha driving up to Lagoon every Friday, Saturday and Sunday the first year I moved up here and we would all sing along to the music in the car, despite the 7 year age gap between you and Alisha. Alisha and I hated that job and were always complaining, but you somehow found it in yourself to love that job and make the most of it. I was jealous of that. Now I am so grateful that I had that job, because it allowed for you guys to sleep at our apartment and spend a lot more time with us. I think we really learned about each other's humor, music taste, and life in that short month.

I cannot say enough how much I love you and how much I am going to miss you, even though I know that in more than one sense, you will always be here. And we will always be thinking of you. Always. "When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight. " -Kahlil Gibran. You have been a delight in my life- we have shared so many holidays, so many special ocsassions, so many laughs, and so much love.

Rest in Peace, Mike Peterson.

5/4/93-6/19/11