5.31.2011

NETTIE ... IT'S GOD CALLING


My mother-in-law Joan reminded me about a memory she had of a Fourth of July party where cousins from Scotland (Peter, Pauline and their kids)  were in town and Peter happened to be home from the road. Nettie was alive, though she was slight, frail, with senility setting in ... she was quietly sitting in her chair nodding her head but not really paying attention.

Since cousin Peter of Scotland is a professional classical guitarist, he and Pete decided to jam a little in the backyard of sister Nancy and brother-in-law Roberts, home on Staten Island, playing songs that everyone could sing along to, while each displayed their musical talents. Cathy had her tamborine and jammed along with them, as the other sisters and family sang harmony. Pete had a mic and in between songs, would make jokes, banter with the family while playing everything from Beatle songs to his mom's and older generation's favorites.

We positioned Nettie in front of him, so that she could see her son and be able to stay involved in the activities. At one point, she was looking up at him, adoring him from her seat, clapping when appropriate. At some point during the session, she took a little snooze. Peter took notice of how peaceful she looked, stood in front of her and in his best spooky voice into the mic he said ... "Annette ... Annette ... This is Jesus Christ Annette ... Welcome ...Welcome to Heaven Annette" It was sad because she practically jumped out of her seat. She smiled when she saw him looking down on her, knowing that once again she was the butt end of Pete's joke.



After the performance, we all ganged up on him and threw him in the pool. It took 5 of us girls (his neices) to drag him in. He of course, held onto us tightly and when he couldn't stand it anymore, dragged us into the pool with him.

22 comments:

  1. I love the picture of Nettie and with her support shirt on, she is a lovely lady. Great story thank you for sharing :)

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  2. I think one of his nieces has not sung a Beatles song. Great story as always!
    I.

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  3. i can almost hear him saying that lol great story as always....i wonder,did they by any chance do a type o negative rendition @ the 4th party? thanks for sharing! -erik hernandez-

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  4. Cute story. I look forward to reading the blog every morning! It really cheers me up.

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  5. Beautiful picture of Nettie!! Loved the story!!

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  6. great story. thanks for sharing!

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  7. What a sweet and funny story! Nettie looks classy with her Type O jacket on. What an adoring mom! Thanks so much for continuing to share these wonderful stories with us fans. Miss you Peter! Wish you were here! RIP PETER----Jessica (Black Number 1)

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  8. Love it!!! Great story. :)

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  9. Hi girls--

    Another neat family story, and I love the photo of Nettie. Thanks for sharing! XO

    Patty P

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  10. As always thank you for sharing, Nettie looks adorable in her TON hoody :)

    Amy, Newark, Ohio

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  11. Just wonderful!! Now they both get to hear the voice of God on a daily basis...Together.

    Much blessings to the Ratajczyk family and thank you for yet another memory!!

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  12. Both the pics and the story are totally priceless, I died laughing with this!! I would have loved to meet Nettie, the anecdotes about her are the best :) Keep them coming!

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  13. Great!! Thanks for the history!!

    when this happened?

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  14. what a great story! totally had me in stitches and remind me very much of another hilarious Peter moment "kenny, kenny, this is your Higher Power".
    Nettie looks beautiful with her elegantly styled hair and her TON shirt. She must have been one proud mom, and rightly so. She raised a lovely family. thanks for sharing.

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  15. I am guessing the time was about 2005? From what I think I know this wasn't the best time for Peter, so I am happy to see he was having good times with family. Nettie, what a wonderful non judging, supportive mum to have. Love that the girls got Peter back. Peter did make one mistake...he's not Jesus Christ.....he's God :)

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  16. cinnamongirl13131:46 AM, June 01, 2011

    Adorable! Just like the rest of these stories, I can picture it perfectly in my head :)Of course she would be wearing Type O swag!
    Especially love these pics. You are always so thoughtful to include them.

    Thank you over and over

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  17. What a heartwarming, lovely story - Nettie looks so nice with the Type O hoodie & I can imagine well how Pete sounded ;-)LOL - trying to throw Pete into the pool was for sure a challenge ;-)
    Thank you for sharing another lovely memory with us.
    -Sabine,Austria-

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  18. This is a great family story! It seems as if the Ratajczyk family has a very consistent sense of humor. Nettie does lend a unique elegance to the hoodie, and she looks like a very caring, loving mother who kept laughing no matter which end of the joke she was on. The photo of Pete is very... Pete! Always a character. He was a very beautiful specimen of masculinity. I'm sure it was both a blessing and a curse.
    Fans are many times seen by celebrities and immediate family as people to be avoided, kept at a distance. I appreciate the fact that your family is sharing these personal stories with us, especially under these circumstances. It's touching that you're willing to see Pete's fans in such a positive light and offer us friendly little peeks into his life. As someone who's admired Pete's talent and personality for years from a distance I knew he could be comfortable with you have my deepest gratitude. Thank you so much!

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  19. Deborah Fischer1:30 PM, June 02, 2011

    Loved reading this story ! what an amazing family ! the pictures are also priceless and i'm sure Nettie was a proud mom

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  20. I enjoy so very much reading all these stories about this beautiful man who left this world oh too soon..I was never able to officially meet Peter as I wished I could but back in 2008 I was a VIP member to a type Negative concert thanks to Kenny and Bonnie Hickey ( who were my neighbors ) for 10 years,I know the coolest neighbors to ever have.I was so sad to leave my home near the Hickeys but we still keep in contact and see little Hickey since our daughter's are still friends.The night of the concert Peter was not feeling too well ( had some kind of cold or flu bug ) going on.We all hung out in the Kiss room with the whole band present except the one and only Peter.That was one of the most horrible moments more so when I think back on it cause everyone tried to cheer me up and told me my day would come in the future to meet my beautiful one,I never thought that would mean so far in the future.I guess i will meet you my beautiful one when it's my turn to cross over into your world. I still can't get over him being gone.I do feel like he is at peace. I think the whole Ratajczyk family are the most beautiful family.All the family pics are wonderful memories,such a large family.Two beautiful people created a wonderful family. My love always to the Ratacjzyk family.

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  21. It would be cool to have Peter as an uncle!

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