5.20.2011

If You Meant Something To Pete ... He Never Let You Go

Peter & Mardie
Mardie cherishes the fact that she and Pete were each other's first for everything. And yes, that means EVERYTHING! They supported each other through many ups and downs in each other's lives. When they split up, as first loves frequently do, they still had the same friends, went to the same college, and were each others' confidantes for new and far less interesting relationships.

"When Pete's father died, I went to see him," Mardie says. "We shared a long conversation, talked about what was going on in each other's lives." Then from that point on, Peter and Mardie always checked in on each other. Even though Peter was pursuing his musical career and Mardie was achieving her academic dreams, they kept tabs on each other, always remarking that "when they get back together, they'd do X Y & Z together." 

Then, in 2005, Mardie was diagnosed with a rare cardiac aneurysm. Remaining closest to one of Pete's nieces, Tara, she told him of Mardie's trauma. Mardie remembers that "Peter called her immediately and they talked for hours. After that, they spent the Spring and Summer of 2005 together. "Peter was great with my daughters. He was a huge prankster and they loved to laugh with him (and at him)." This time was a hardship for Peter as his mother was very ill and dying.  But, Mardie was with him throughout the loss of his mother, stayed with him during each and every wake and the funeral, supporting him and the family over the loss of their beloved mother.  Peter and Mardie walked hand in hand for those 3 days with a level of support and trust that was obvious to all of us.

It seemed to me that throughout Pete's life, Mardie was always there for him. And, he in turn, for her.



Even when Peter's eldest sister, Nancy passed away, Mardie dropped what she was doing and came to the wake to be with Peter. She remembers that Peter sat next to her, grabbed her hand and said, "You were there for my father, my mother and now my sister.... you have and are always with me. Our time will come." That was December 2009. That year, Peter called Mardie for her Christmas birthday and she called him for his birthday in January. During that call, he said he was moving to Staten Island and remarked how it would be great to be close again. "And, I thought we would be ... but, we never had an opportunity to speak again," Mardie sadly recalls. 

"Peter's sisters and nieces have ALWAYS included me and made me feel a part of them..... My biological family is so few, having the Ratajczyk's has filled my life in so many positive ways.... and, in true form, I always felt like I was family. Most of Pete's nieces gave birth to daughters, and in keeping with the theme, I have 2 of my own. There is an amazing female bond amongst us"

I agree with Mardie when she says, "We all know that blood and marriage aren't the only ways to create true family."

To us, it never entered our mind that Mardie was anything else, but, our Aunt. We all secretly hoped she would be ... eventually.

32 comments:

  1. i was waiting for part II and altho I always wanted to be with the Greenman I was hoping to hear they did make it back togather.... at least they always were there for each other. so nice and thanks.

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  2. What a wonderful story. I loved it! Thanks for sharing :)

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  3. Beautifully written and heart-warming.
    This made ​​my day.
    I.

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  4. is there such a thing as being too tough to cry at something this beautiful...? no i dont think so,this brought tears to my eyes while reading,mardie one day you and peter will be together,and nothing or no-one will keep you apart.thank you for this post,it was both heart warming,and heartbreaking to read and that makes it a very real and human read.the picture is both timeless and beautiful. -erik hernandez-

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  5. Wow, that is an incredibly beautiful story of love and friendship. ( I think i want to cry ) Most people can only dream of having someone in their life like Mardie and Peter were for each other. I am so happy to know he had someone like you to help him through the bad times.Coping with Peter's death must be so hard, but remember you were blessed to have such a beautiful soul as your lover and friend. You know he is always with you. I wish you and your family happiness and good health. Mardie you are an angel. Thank you Thank you.

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  6. What a beautiful story of true love. Mardie sounds like a very special lady and a real blessing to Peter. When I saw an interveiw with Pete saying he was at a point in his life that he would like to settle down and have a family of his own I wished so much that it would happen for him..... I hope Mardies health is ok now and send her and all of the family my love and very best wishes. XXXXXXX

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  7. That witch Pam he was with was in it for the money and the fame, it is sad to know he could of been happy else where, and maybe still alive.

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  8. Family isn't always blood. It's the people in your life who want you
    in theirs. The ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who
    would do anything to see you smile, and who love you no matter what.
    I.

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  9. Ah, this tears at the heart. Lost chances. I'm so sorry Mardie. I've actually been there. Peace to you and your family.

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  10. I was eagerly waiting for part two of this story...thank you so much for sharing. Mardie, I hope you are doing well.

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  11. a beautiful story of how two generous, loving, kind souls forged a bond that only grew stronger through time and shared hardship and heartache.
    I am sure these two very special people made each other very happy.
    thank you so much for sharing.

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  12. I always thought that Mardie was married.

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  13. Family isn't about who you're born to or whose blood flows in your veins, but who has your back when times get tough. This is a very real fact of my life, and I'm glad for it. My best friend and her family have stood by me through the toughest times in my life, while my own blood were nowhere to be found. It's in those moments that one can truly understand unconditional love.

    Thank you for sharing such a beautiful story.

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  14. This makes me think of a song off the October Rust album; Die with me. I wonder if he was thinking of Mardie when he wrote it. As usual thank you so much for these insights into Pete's life and character.Regards.

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  15. I think Pete would of still been alive if he was with the love of his life and this fact makes me sad. Much love to the family.

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  16. so very sweet...sounds like Mardie was someone VERY special to Peter. I think it's great he had someone like that in his life, a constant source of support. Thanks for sharing such a special story.

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  17. I wanted to answer a comment above about Mardie. Only to say that it's been my experience, and some of our blog readers can relate too, that sometimes people keep missing opportunities with their soulmate because of other personal relationships ... because life isn't so neat and easy that you can easily fit each other into your life when you want them to be there. Time doesn't stand still for anyone ...

    Thank you all for your wonderful comments. I'm glad that the vast majority enjoyed this story.

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  18. Thank you again for sharing your memories. I only want to say that soulmates don't have to be married to each other. They can be friends for life.

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  19. What a beautiful story! In many ways my thoughts of Pete often turn to "missed opportunities". And at first glance, this seemed to fit right in along those lines. But upon thinking about it again, perhaps this WAS the way those two were meant to be. Perhaps not in the "traditional relationship" as we know it, but to be REAL for each other, and with each other when they needed it most.

    We are all blessed that your family is willing to share these insights with us, the fans. I enjoy them immensely and thank you for posting them!

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  20. I just wanted to say thank you to the Ratajczyk family and to Mardi for sharing such personal and touching stories. Peter's music came into my life when I needed it most and these stories are doing the same. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I look forward to reading these everyday :)
    @elvenseamstress - I've often wondered the same thing.

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  21. deborah fischer3:29 PM, May 20, 2011

    thank you so much for part II, it was a wonderful read ! it does sound like they were made for each other and i'm glad that they could count on one another for support.

    Mardie is a wonderful soul and lovely lady

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  22. "Now like a bird
    she flew away,
    to chase her dreams
    of books and praise.

    still I miss her
    yeah I miss her
    since she's gone."

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  23. Beautiful yet heartbreaking. Thank you everyone for all of the stories. I hope one day each of my children will find a love like Peter and Mardi shared.

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  24. This is a wonderful,beautiful story! I'm happy that mardi was there for peter. I'm sure that peter is looking down on all of you including mardi waiting with open arms and that lovely smile on his face for the time you all can be together again. I'm thankful that mardi was there for peter and in peters life and being there when he needed her the most. Thank you for sharing.

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  25. It's good that they were close like that...at least he knew in his heart that someone truly loved him.

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  26. Time certainly doesn't stand still for anybody. And if you sit back and ponder on the "what if's" you'd end up in the psych ward. They were meant to be "family" in some shape or form obviously. And they had intimacy most of us could only dream about. That counts for a hell of a lot in my book. The connection was always there.

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  27. I LOVED THIS SOOO MUCH!!! What a beautiful story and a beautiful couple! How awesome that they stayed so close and loved each other so much. Wow it brought tears. How lucky they were to have one another. Thank you for all these wonderful stories...I can't wait for the next one!!!! :)

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  28. Thank you so much for this beautiful and personal story - it is really heartwarming and heartbreaking - I am so glad to know that Peter has had such a wonderful, unique relationship with Mardie - she is a very special soul - and I can only agree that family does not have to do necessarily with blood it's much more about soulmates up to my experience - and this story just proves this. And it is so special that it was the first love for both. I hope Mardie is doing well now, all the best to her and to you and once again thank you for all these wonderful stories.
    All the best
    Sabine, Austria
    @Sheri & @elevenseamstress: that what was going throug my mind too when I read it ;-)

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  29. #1PeteSteeleFan3:25 PM, May 22, 2011

    Seems to me that although they started out well, their timing was always off..... that, in and of itself is so not right..... I believe he would still be on this earth performing for all of us had she been with him during his most desperate hours....

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  30. I find this to be both heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time.....and also somewhat ironic that the big guy died because of his heart and she has a heart problem. My hubby and I appreciate the family sharing Pete with us.

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  31. I am so happy to know that Peter had someone like you to help him through the bad times. Thanks for sharing

    Amy Wigle, Newark, Ohio

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  32. So glad I found this blog - Thank you for sharing! Pete will never be forgotten and even though many of us never had the chance to meet him in person, we still did knew him through his songs. I was crying like a baby the day he died, even though this might sound absurd. God rest his soul in peace.

    Nasia, London

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