Aging is ruthless, we are all just beginning to see that now as our parents falter, become frail, battle illnesses beyond belief. But as a reward, they are called to the Glory of God, and my dearest John, Deirdre, Kevin, Fiona and Nuala, they have seen the face of God. Your parents were the parents we all secretly wished for. Not that our own parents weren't special or loving. For myself, what set your parents apart was their youthful exuberance, something that having five children in fairly quick succession brought to them. And maybe it was that good old Irish heritage we all came to know and love. I remember singing for your Dad, how he put up with the most horrid rendition of "To Sir With Love" in my best warbling imitation of Lulu. Well he asked for it, but instead of singing in my natural voice, I tried all the vocal dipsy doodles I though great singers put out. I am sure to this day that is why your father lost his hearing. But he was the social butterfly of the parties, oh those famous Healy parties, where we learned to dance and had a few drinks and stuffed ourselves on one of Mrs. Healy's gargantuan turkeys, and fried the roofs of our mouths with what was for many of us, our first foray into the world of curry. And the laughter. How we laughed! Mrs. Healy, now there was a Mum to love. She was always the voice of reason and clarity, quick to smile, a grand, gracious lady. She was always keenly interested in what I was doing, a fellow nurse, and she encouraged me along at times when I thought there might be a roadblock to the path I am now following. As she has done with her children, she encouraged all to spread their wings, to seek the adventure, and to enjoy life to the fullest. When my own marriage dissolved, she verbalized her condolences, and then told me that marriage hadn't been right from the start (21 years of it). We laughed, and I told her if there was ever going to be another Mr. "Could Be Right", I would bring him to meet her. She was spot on in her observations. There were many times I met up with Mr. and Mrs. Healy after Mass, and I would be invited to tag along to the famous Swiss Pick. I'd sit beside Mr. Healy, whose hearing was worse than my own, yelling at each other or speaking directly into each other's ear, eventually he would tell me just to keep talking with the Missus, and she would fill him in later. I remember meeting them in Ireland, when Deirdre and I were sowing our wild oats, so to speak, right after high school. I was so blessed to meet Granny Morris, Granny Healy, and the rest of the clan. I still have the fondest memories of 6 of us in a mini going to a dance, Mr. Healy somehow positioning himself in the middle of the front, over the stick shift, declaring that some form of colon surgery would no longer be needed as we bumped over every cobblestone and pot hole in Athy. Bless you, John, Deirdre, Kevin, Fiona and Nuala, for letting us into your lives, and those of you families, while no one can miss your parents the way you do, they will always be remembered by everyone, with a smile, and with love. Love always, Judy.