Sunday, June 3, 2012
Farewell Danny, I know you are in a better place.
I have struggled to write this for a couple of weeks now, and just did not really know how to start. The web page is somewhat intimidating, so I am typing this into word first.
You have joined the voices in my head now, those that are always with me, and visit me on occasion when I need some advice or when I just just need to be cheered up a little. When I hear your voice now, and I do already, it is so very bittersweet because It is hard, of course, for those of us left here. In time we will learn to cherish the peace you have attained and we live with the new you, visiting us on occasion, to reminisce, to give us advice or simply to share an amusing moment.
Those qualities - your passion for fair play, tempered by a quiet empathy for those close to you, your love of literature and music, and, most of all your playful sense of humour are the qualities that stand out, above all else, for me now, when I think of you.
So many memories and such good memories ... Brooklyn, Dublin, Roscommon and especially Knockadangan in “the rare auld times�. In Dublin, I remember going around bookstores, music shops, some of the more famous landmarks, even an occasional antique store, and we enjoyed an occasional pint, too ... in a city and an atmosphere we both loved dearly.
In May 1977, when the first Star Wars movie was released, I happened to be in Brooklyn, so the two of us headed off to the theatre. I was not very clued into American movies at the time, and, so was probably missing the point as you tried to get me enthused about this move. What a total surprise! That was a really great movie, a really great night, and a memory that will stay with me forever. Talking about it afterwards, we laughed so much over the cantina Holochess game scene.
Hey remember when we all went to the top of the world trade center for a meal ... I had to borrow a jacket fro m you ... it was about 4 sizes too big for me at the time. I remember when yourself and Maureen bought your first house ... I remember the floor sander (dusty work) and the beautiful hardwood floors.
The most vivid memory I have of you, and perhaps the one I hold dearest, was on an early morning trip to Croagh Patrick. You were going to do the pilgrimage and you had a special reason (though I am sorry I cannot remember what that was right now ... another family member, you were doing the pilgrimage for a brother, that could not, perhaps). We got on a bus in Roscommon and started the slow bus trek to Croagh Patrick. A couple of hours later, mid to late morning perhaps, the bus driver announced a stop and a ten minute break. We got off and, in true Irish spirit, headed for the bar along with half of the other pilgrims. After about 15 minutes or so (we were watching the clock pretty closely, since we just had a 10 minute rest stop), you looked up to see the bus pulling away.
All concerned we quickly downed the beer and chased out after the bus ... as we left the store/bar you stopped suddenly and I will never forget your face. The bus driver had pulled toward the street a little bit, stopped and was now reversing the bus back into a more permanent parking space. The look on your face ... of concern at first, then slowly changing to astonishment, and finally settling on amusement as the full import of what was happening dawned on your consciousness. Nothing for it, we laughed our way back to the bar and enjoyed a more relaxed and amused pint, and we talked about our hero, the bus driver. “Only in Ireland� we agreed ... actually only in certain very remote parts of Ireland (even back then).
I may have to make that pilgrimage again some time, Dan, just for you the next time!
I am going to leave it at that for now Dan, and although the memories will continue to be bittersweet for some time, I still cherish them. I will visit you once in a while, as I know you will visit me ... so until the next time, Dan ... Beanneacht linn go léir!
