Love from: Peter Walters

Papau,

Well, it’s near impossible to use words to impart my appreciation for you on this 70th year — now 25,550 or so days on this planet. This isn’t a memory, but more the way you make me and so many others feel — and what you remind me of about the nature of life and the passing of (the illusion of) time.

Birthdays tend to make me remember that we’re all explorers — and that we have 60-100 or so years of expedition to reach our destination: purpose, contentment, loving relationships, rich friendships and a persistent feeling of wonder. And you, Mr. Wasservogel embody these qualities so deeply— and taught Ed and I to do the same in the most un-yogic yogic ways. It’s only in retrospect and my own deep dive into yoga and wisdom/spiritual traditions that I see that your life and where you find yourself now is a potent teaching in ‘how to live.’

Your rich, decades long friendships, never subsiding curiosity and ability to stay calm in all moments is deeply inspiring and radiates off of you to everyone you meet. 

It’s only been in the last several years that I’ve been able to disentangle ‘father’ from human in our relationship and how I’m able to view you— and mom, too. To see you and mom now not just as your roles and label as my parent, creator — but as two beautiful, wondrous, wondering humans also trying to navigate life, health, money, friendship, passing time, mortality…it’s a gift to be able to step back and see you from this vantage point. 

Anyway, it’s mind boggling to me that you’re 70. 70 year olds are…old! And thank god, you’re not! You’re sharp as a whip and excitable and active and your mind is still churning ideas out into the future, and effortlessly reaches back into the past — way before you were born. You look 52, really. Keep going. Let’s get you some nice brain vitamins, and probiotics to keep you young and fresh for another 20 yeas. 

I love you tremendously, 

Peter Wasservogel