Life by the Word

For me and a few others an end of an era passed away this July 5th of 2009. That was the day Our Uncle Daniel (Danny) Petrecca succumbed to cancer at the tender age of 59. To be honest with you I feel a little part of the world will never be the same again since our Uncle's passing. Why do I make such a simple but bold statement, some of you may care to ask. It is because while I believe God makes every person to be special, some seem to have a unique quality of extra-specialness. Special in the sense that these few but wondrous individuals possess such a quality that only a chosen few can lay claim to. Danny Petrecca was special. He embodied an era of time from the 1960's and 1970's and carried that sense of presence wherever life led him. Even up to the end of his life. To prove my point here are some of the places and events that have and will always remind me of him for the rest of my life. Whenever I see the movie "Easy Rider". Whenever I here the 1960's Rock Group "The Byrds," sing the song Turn,Turn, Turn. Whenever I here the song "Daniel" sung by musician Elton John. And when I watch the scene from the Oscar winning movie "Forest Gump." When Tom Hanks runs into the water and hugs his lost love Jennie, in front of the Washington Monument. All this being done as the so called "Hippie Generation" marches and protests on our Nation's Capitol. And lastly whenever I look at album covers of a time and place called "Woodstock." These and many other things will remind me of my Uncle Danny. When I was young boy of nine in 1972. My family and I stayed with our Grandmother and Grandfather in Fair Lawn, New Jersey. Our house was being built down by the Jersey Shore so we stayed there for about two years. I remember a lot about that time. Learning how to ride my bike. Playing baseball down by Warren Point Elementary School. Spending quality time with my Grandma and Grandpa Petrecca. Each memory embedded not just in my mind but also in my heart. But my favorite memory of those two years living there in Fair Lawn was visiting my Uncle Danny who lived on the top floor of that big, red house. I still remember the smell of the hallway. The softness of carpet that laid upon the stairway. And the wooden door way that sat there so prominent for a nine year old boy to knock upon. When my Uncle answered we would sit together and he would show me all his album covers. He would show me parts of his motorcycle that he was shining up. And we would listen to music. Music, may I add,  from one the greatest times in history. It seemed that we would stay for hours laughing and sharing. I never would want to leave. Sometimes, I would stare out the living room window from the top floor of 27th street and memorize what it looked like as I felt the Fall breeze hit my 9 year old face. The funny thing is that I can still remember what it looks, smells and sounds like nearly 37 years later. I miss that time in my life. Even today I miss spending time at My Aunt Patty's house in Butler N.J. as we swam so care free in Crystal Lake. Or swimming at my Aunt Cathy's house in Pompton Lakes in her and my Uncle's above ground pool. Moments like those hopefully do not ever leave you. Little did I know that great memories and my inner personality were all being formed back in these seasons of my young and innocent life. I received many gifts from my Uncles while growing up. From my Uncle Woodsie I learned the appreciation of how hard it is to hit a tennis ball near the base line on a consistent basis. And also an appreciation of the easiness and softness of the summer air on a Wimbledon, Sunday morning. From My Uncle Jimmy I learned the value of respect and honor. And also how to dress with class and dignity. Along with doing a pretty mean doggie paddle in their pool in Pompton Lakes, New Jersey. And from my Uncle Tommy and Charlie. I learned the meaning and value of being a gentlemen at all times. But from my Uncle Danny I learned about the word and action called freedom. Freedom in the sense of being yourself. No matter what mistakes or blunders this type of living may have cost. It was still cool to be yourself at all times. Only Danny Petrecca possessed these qualities for us to live by and try and understand. Whether it was good or bad. Whether it was a good example to follow all the time. Well, that doesn't matter anymore because he left an impression and way that lives inside all of us whose life he touched with such heritage and Cause. And I know for me that he lives deep inside the caverns of my heart and personality. Along with many other members of the Petrecca Family. My friends let me share with you something today. Let me give you some friendly advice, okay? Live your life. Live,live,live your life!!! Time flies and before you know it your youth goes by like a vapor in the wind. I wanted to write this chapter not just for me. And not just for my Uncle. I wanted to write it to let his children and the rest of the world who reads this book know what this man meant to all of us. Danny Petrecca was a Dad. He was a Husband, a Brother, an Uncle. A friend and beloved son. Yes he was all these wonderful titles. But he was much more to those who had the privilege to know him and spend time with him. Danny Petrecca represented an era in time. His life embodied more than just a moment. He went to school in Berkeley, California in the 1970's. He rode his motorcycle with back pack through the hills of Canada. He carried his peace sign greeting with him even to the end of his life. " Love, Peace and Jesus he would boldly state with a smile." He used to say to me that I would write one day. When I was in college back in 1984 he used to tell me that it was good for me to chase my dreams and have a goal, and to go for it and not be afraid. I will carry that spirit the rest of the days of my life. There is a song that I mentioned above here in this chapter. It is called "Daniel". I want to share with you some of the lyrics of this 1973 tune by Elton John. But before I do I want to dedicate this chapter to Chelsea and Jillian Petrecca. My Uncle's Daughters. Carry the love with you girls. Wherever you go, carry his love and what he meant not just to the Petrecca family or to Fair Lawn New Jersey. But what he meant to the world. Here are some of the words to the song. I hope whenever you hear them now you will think of Danny Petrecca. " Daniel my brother you are older than me. Do you still feel the pain of the scars that won't heal. Your eyes have died but you see more than I. Daniel you are a star in the face of the sky."  Lord Jesus please say hi to my Uncle today in Heaven. Please tell him thank you for what he meant to all of us. And as he would always say when he was alive. I wish for all of you my friends. LOVE, PEACE AND JESUS. God bless you all.!!!  Love ya, Al.

Chapter 28