Happy Fourth of July! This was Brian’s (and is my) favorite holiday. Both of like it because “you drink beer, blow stuff up and there are no gifts to buy!” This is why America is number one baby!
We had a grand time in Ireland. Patrick found his pot of gold, the kids chased some sheep, the ladies shopped, we saw some great sights, and helped the Irish economy.
No matter where we were, I (and all of us) could not help but think about Brian and how he we would react or enjoy Ireland with us. We had several “Brian sightings” throughout the trip. The first sighting occured at JFK (the worse airport in the US). “MCC/B” was listed (appropriately) as standby for our flight.
The first night we were in Doolin at a pub. I was talking with Susan about the standby listing and said “I am so obtuse. I just wish Brian would give me a clearer sign. Within two seconds, an Australian guy (the McCormick’s love Australians) dropped a Smith’s Bacon flavor fries wrapper on our table directly in front of me. This is the exact flavor Brian and I ate 10 bags of in 1991 at a Sligo pub where we placed the worst game of darts in recorded history. These, as you have already guessed, are bacon flavored chips and are described as “cereal snack with that extra crunchy bacon taste.” You know they are extremely healthy and good for you! Brian and I raved about them for years and never, ever, found them until that instant. All we could say is “wow!”
The next day we went to Galway. While walking through the town we heard a street performer singing Josh Groban’s song called “You raise me up.” This song was my Mom’s and brother’s favorite and illustrated their strong relationship:
When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.
There is no life - no life without its hunger;
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;
But when you come and I am filled with wonder,
Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.
You raise me up... To more than I can be.
In fact, Brian took my Mom to a Josh Groban concert in Detroit. My Mom always thinks about Brian whenever and wherever she hears one of his songs. She thought about Brian when we heard the same song the next day in a store.
We don’t care if some think we are crazy (they already do anyways). Some may call these “Brian sightings” as amazing coincidences. We don’t. They gave us a smile and a happy thought about our Brian right when we needed them - while we happened to be in Ireland. Isn’t that grand?
Tapadh leat Brian.
May God bless him and the United States of America!
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