I'm trying to make a conscious effort to post everyday -   Reminds me of when I started using a diary or journal back when I was a teen . . . and yes that WAS back in the days of the dinosaurs ('Tin is ROLLIN' right now :S  ) 

It was indeed a beautiful day, azure blue skies with white puffy clouds, a crispness in the air that carried olors eliciting instant memories to made you smile, sunshine - glorious rays of God's gream high beam aimed at lighting the soul as well as the day.

We said goodbye to Debbie Hogan on this "good day".  Well, most of us did - in the way of a TRUE Irishman, Kevin stood before us and said

"Geez, Debs . . . I'll be damned if I'm gonna tell ya good bye.  Instead, I'm gonna say what I've said for the last couple of years.  'You go on home and get some rest, I'll see ya as soon as I take care of the kids.' "

Any of us who weren't tearing up before this, certainly couldn't hold back a tear or two after that.

I had to smile, though, and love Kevin all the more for his total honesty.  Kevin Hogan is one of those people who knows himself, and has no problem with letting the world know where he is coming from.  In this case, he believes his beloved is going to a better place, a place where she can finally get some much needed rest, and he knows he will see her, be with her again, some day.

After the service, the family did what Debbie had asked - they celebrated her life in good old fashioned Irish Tradition - gathering around the home front, telling stories and anecdotes with Debs as the central figure, drinking, eating, drinking, singing and drinking.  LOL  Don't worry, there was other forms of beverage besides beer! 

The day progressed slowly, quietly, with much reflection and very little work getting done - except maybe for Debbie . . . I believe she was still very busy today, working her special kind of majik.