Kevin's Last Ride

the parade to the camp grounds

see all of the wood pallets in the boat and truck ahead of us?

BIG FIRE! (and, yes - it was RAINING!)

Kevin's dad gave a traditional Irish toast

'Slainte!' To Kevin!
(pronounced 'slawn-cha', meaning Health! A common toast in Ireland, the equivalent to 'Cheers')

Lessa gave him back to the water he loved

And the party began - sorry can't share those pics. Mr. Moose and I left shortly after the above photo. He could no longer see to make his way around the campgrounds (due to his eye problems) and it was time to bring ourselves back home.

my last drinking frenzy was with Kevin 9 years ago at a north road party, The Ugly Bug Ball. I've not had a drink since then. Last night in his honor I took one drink from Lessa's bottle. It will be my last drink.

I'll leave you today with a poem I wrote for Kevin in 2003 - he told me when I read it to him - "that is ssssoooooo not where I thought you were going with that!"

I'll miss our sparring - I'll miss the man. I was his mother-in-law and he hated me for that fact alone. Other than that, he loved me, but never said it. It was understood.

Kevin's Salvation
Homer, 06-25-03
by the PurpleMoose in her own name

My son-in-law got saved today
The experience was inspiring
I was awe-stricken
At the site of his salvation

Blessed and assured that the saving
Was complete
He could go into his day
With grace and the knowledge of it

My son-in-law was saved today
But only I know it
For he was 100 miles away
And his salvation was here

In my B&B bathroom

Where I squashed the spider
And baptized it into a septic pool

I fear that it will be hard
For Kevin to swallow

That his fear of spiders

Has made his Mother-in-law

His savior

Posted by Purplemoose at September 10, 2005 08:59 AM