Remembering Rich

Richard Thomas Moran  September 27,1979-September 23, 2010

Dear Rich,
It's been three years since you gave us the ultimate Irish Goodbye. One minute you were with us and then, suddenly you were gone. A lot has happened in that time, but we are sure you are keeping tabs on us. And, of course, you have your dad with you too. And so many others. Several of your friends have gotten married and have babies now. Life does go on.
People say it gets easier, but I think we all miss you just as much as ever. You are always, always in my thoughts. When I forget what I'm saying, or stop typing in the middle of a sentence at work, it's because you are there. When I have a blank look on my face, and don't follow a conversation, it's because I am remembering you. When I see a pineapple, or a lighthouse, or the moon, or all those silly mustaches that are everywhere now, I think of you. Because of you, my taste has become positively tacky. I even bought a coin purse that looks like a pineapple. Meg bought shoes with pineapples on them, so it's not just me. Are you laughing yet? And the music. I can hardly listen to anything because of the memories. So, don't worry, I think it's pretty safe to say that you are always Number 1 with us.
Do you recognize this list? I found it after you left. I framed it and decorated it. You would probably think that is crazy. I'm not sure when you wrote it. Some of the things you got to do. The rest, I hope you are doing now.

Go to Vegas

Mardi Gras

Backpack through Europe

Go to Ireland

Drive through America

Own a lighthouse

Write.......something

See the Pyramids

Meet Jimmy Buffett

Earn College Diploma

Be on a gameshow

Reread the Bible

Be able to quote Shakespeare

Act-then direct

Carnival in Rio

See the ruins at Machu Pichu

See a bullfight

Run with the bulls in Pamplona

Figure out why JD Salinger is so damn secretive

Be a cowboy

See a game at Wrigley

Learn to sail

Meet James Ellroy

Go to Iceland

Go to Australia and New Zealand

I don't find as many quarters as I used to. But they are still popping up here and there. We see red cardinals all the time. Oh, and I found this laminated and stuck in your mirror." LIBRA: Take stock of your life, and implement long-term plans and preparations. The need to wait until everything is right will turn to a desire to get things done and move to the next level." Did you know?

Love,

Mom