One year ago, sweet Matthew Pettegrew tragically died. He was my co-worker, and friend--and friend of many, many people. He was a gentle giant, a loving listener, a big, dopey fun spirit who had an amazing respect for women. As a lesbian, and him being straight, I instantly found him to be a remarkable confidant to my relationship woes. I adored him, and was so pleased to hear that he finally was making plans to find a new line of work, and get off graveyards, which caused him to be sometimes literally, sleepwalking on the job. Tragically, that is what ultimately killed him. After work, he fell asleep at the wheel on his way home on the freeway and met his maker at the crossing of a tree. Pette always handed out Starburst candies to everyone at work. He carried a big pack of it in his back pocket. In honor of Pette, here is what I wrote last year. “Starburst” We walk the windswept Morongo nights Deep inside the smoky casino halls Past the old, the young, the infirm Tapping a button of promise Of forever wealth, forever youth. And then a starburst breaks the monotony A gentle giant, smiling goofy and freely The Candy Man keeps us awake And distracted with his Starburst chews Tucked into his back pocket Handing them out to anyone needing That sweet, childhood sugary high. Lovely, funny, Pettegrew with an open hand And open heart But fierce, protective and loyal…true A brother in a brethren of Graveyarders Just holding on until daylight Until sleep, until family, until play time. Oh, the bittersweet irony was our teasing That dear, lovable Pettegrew Would slip off into the Sandman’s song Beckoning him to drift off to sleep While on duty, while walking, while anything… But just as suddenly, our Candyman Would startle awake and jump into action. Pettegrew was a young man, an old soul Who kept his own council, and listened to none He adored his family, his friends, his co-workers. He adored me, and I felt it in so many sweet ways By the way he listened, never judged And knew when to just be silent. At long last, the Sandman’s song Finally lulled our brother to sleep I pray that it was such a sweet lullaby A song of angels so pure that it drew him To Heaven without fear, without pain. As for us Graveyarders, The pain is like a falling star Dividing the night But through our beautiful memories We find solace in the thought That our beloved Pettegrew’s soul Has taken flight. Dear Candyman, dear Pette From all of us on “A” Watch We bid you, sweet slumber And an eternal goodnight.
Posted on: Sun, 16 Mar 2014 18:33:11 +0000
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