Helen Harrand > wrote in message
...
> "The Ranger" > wrote in message
...
> > pfoley > wrote in message
. net...

> > > The Irish American Wakes are the only way to go.
> >
> > Murphy's in one hand, Guinness in t'other!
> >
> My father remarried 10 years before his death and my
> stepmom is Irish/American. My father did NOT want
> folks coming back to the house or any "fuss". Yeap,
> that was my dad. On the other hand my stepmom did
> want a kinda wake. She started talking about getting it
> catered and I looked at her funny and told her that I'd
> do it. Her words to me? "Make it nice". I think I made
> her happy. We had lamb chops, shrimp, antipasta, all
> kinds of stuff. And booze. Lots of booze. Those old
> Floridians that dad knew can DRINK!!!! We had two
> 1.75 bottles of vodka and had to go break into the stash
> that hub and I were taking back to AL with us. Damn,
> those folks can DRINK!!
>
> Stepmom was happy, dad was no the wiser that folks
> were at the house, talking about him and making a fuss.
> It was actually a very nice time.

I ran my Sainted MotherT's wake just as requested. Jameson's, Guinness,
food enough to keep people talking, and a piper that allowed people to
remember her fondly. The piper was awesome and SWMBO & I outdid
ourselves on the foods! 475 people ate, drank, sang, told me stories,
and danced the afternoon away. No one cried. That is the way a wake
should be enjoyed!

My Uncle, her eldest brother, also made merry at his wake, only Murphy's
was his drink of choice.

Two great people that knew how to celebrate life... And death.

The Ranger
--
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of
arriving safely, in an attractive and well-preserved body. Rather one
should skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other,
body thoroughly used up, totally worn out while screaming 'WOO HOO! What
a ride!'"
-- Anonymous