Essay about Peter by Izzy

Peter and I only became friends within the year before he passed away, but somehow, I felt that I knew him my whole life. He was just that type of person. The person who always invited me to go out, even if he knew I was busy. The person who always made time to talk, even if he wasn’t feeling well. The person who was always down to dance and have fun, even if it was hard times. I had never met anyone like Peter before him, and to be honest, I don’t think I will ever meet anyone like him again. His utter strength, of waking up every day, putting a smile on his face and telling people that he was okay, was something straight out of a superhero novel. You would never know something was wrong if you just came across him on the street.

His smile, his laugh, his sheer presence was contagious, an uplifting aura that you couldn’t shake even if you tried.

Sure, I was going through some difficult times during our friendship, but not nearly anywhere to the extent he was. Yet, he made me feel like my struggles mattered. He listened to me rant, consoled me when I was sad, and told me everything would be okay. Everytime I look back upon those moments I am still in awe. How was he able to sit there, and genuinely care about how I was feeling, after everything he was going through? I still haven’t found an answer... other than that it was just the way he was. He was just that type of person, who genuinely cared about others, so much so that even when he didn’t know how many days he had left, he was still the most amazing friend I could ask for.

On January 15th, 2022, I texted Peter to make plans. I hadn’t seen him in a while, and so I asked to hangout that Monday, January 17th. His response was “I would love to, but I don’t know where I’m gonna be.” Those plans were never followed up on, because on January 17th, the day of our plans, was the day. Peter went to heaven.

I’ve always felt regret from that day on. I should have made more plans with him, I should have called him more, I should have said goodbye. But when I think about our moments together, and all our talks, laughs and big hugs, I remember the lesson that Peter taught me. Life is too short to be sad and dwell on stupid things.

Even though he was fighting for his life, Peter made the most out of every day, with a smile on his face, doing the things he loved.

I hope that in my life I can be even a fraction of the person that Peter was, and continue his legacy of positivity, kindness and joy.

-Isabel Galinov