The Sad News

Beloved Friends and Family,

We are so sad to tell you that Peter died on Sunday, December 7^th.  He chose to spend his last hours on his beloved “nap sofa,” and he took his last breaths at 1:54 p.m. with Susan, Jessie, and Amanda gathered around him there, holding him and each other.   On Friday he had told his doctor, and us, that he was tired of fighting his disease and was ready to go.  As you know from the previous reports on this blog, he lived his last days to the fullest.

He woke on Friday wanting to try to go swim at the Sportplex.  In the end, a shower had to do, but it was a glorious shower and he kept telling me how good it felt and how much he appreciated it.  Water was always important to Peter, and you all know how much he loved his pond.  In his last hours he asked to be bathed repeatedly with icy water. 

A full obituary will be in the area papers (that he loved so much) and I will post a link here when that is done.  Also, by late today we will have information about a service for him posted here that will include ways you can help if you wish to.

I think it was on our second date that Peter started telling me what music he wanted played at his funeral.  Last week I sat down with him and wrote it all down (it had evolved a bit over the nearly 34 years).  THAT event will be a bash, held when the weather is warmer.

For now, those of you who want to respond by bringing food please use this link to coordinate:  http://www.takethemameal.com/meals.php?t=TKBN0268&v=51dc30ddc4.  

Many of you have asked about helping with chores, and that list will be forthcoming.  Nothing is needed at this time.  

To honor Peter with donations, we are pleased to tell you that prior to his death his family created The Down Yonder Fund for the Arts to carry on Peter’s example of generosity and hospitality for artists of all kinds.  Peter had the opportunity to add his voice to that vision.  We have a draft of a mission statement going and it will be along the lines of:

Following the example of generosity and hospitality exhibited through the life of Peter Kramer, the Down Yonder Fund for the Arts will utilize space and resources of Down Yonder Farm to foster the development of artists of all genres through:

·         Retreats, recording sessions, classes, and performances

·         Opportunities for collaboration and

·         The sharing of art forms that bring joy and healing to people

The “Down Yonder Fund” (the official title) will enable us to keep three buildings here on the farm in use for artists – The Music Building with its “Green Room” that many of you have enjoyed in different ways, The Writer’s Cabin, where some great writers have completed their books already, and new to the list is a tiny one-person cabin for overnight stays.  In addition to providing these spaces for use, the Down Yonder Fund will enable the necessary upfitting of these spaces with adequate restroom/cooking facilities and automobile access and parking. 

We will be working on fuller descriptions of these dreams and a budget in the new year, and many of you will be involved in the visioning.  But we are accepting donations and appreciate the Shared Visions Foundation for hosting the fund for us.

We will have an online giving mechanism in place soon.  For now you can further Peter’s Musical legacy by sending checks made out to “Shared Visions Foundation”  with “Down Yonder Fund for Peter Kramer” in the memo line.  The mailing address is Susan Gladin, P.O. Box 985, Hillsborough, NC   27278. 

Peter received such an outpouring of love from all of you in his last months and weeks.  His doctor, James Tulsky (see earlier posts about him) told Peter that he had never seen such an outpouring.  “I want you to know this is special,” he told Peter.

Thank you all for your incredible support.  I am off to the funeral home now and we will post more later.  Thank you again and again.

Susan