“In the Arms of Family Forever” by Dr. Judy Lee/ Today We Celebrate Jack Meehan's Life, Wake at Everly Community Funeral Home, 2-4PM, 6-8PM

Born in Ballyroan

In County Laois

Rooted in Ireland,

Rooted in love,

Rooted in Christ

Rooted in music-

Strong in the roots,

Intertwined in the

Branches and the

Beautiful blossoms

Growing, making

New in Katie and in Danny

Born of the love of Sean and Nancy

Nurtured by them

and Jack and Bridie,

Grandpa and Grandma,

and Aunt Mary too

and Uncle Patrick and Val,

and Aunt Molly too-

 as well as timid

beautiful Molly

their dog after

beloved Belle

and Shep and Candy,

All the family of Jack,

 and he was so proud

of each one,

and of Mary, his Sister, daughter and priest.

And all the family of Jack

Were by his side

Day and night

In shifts and

All together,

praying, crying,

laughing, waking

 loving, loving

loving him, their gentle love.

And the first time

they were told

God was calling

They waked him

So good, he began

To eat and live again.

He moved his toes to the tunes of

the Ballyroan Band

And squeezed their

hands to the tune of his

Memory Aires, his

trumpet and his sax

for he was music, and music cannot die.

And yes he hummed

To the Rose of Mooncoin

and is free in Inishfree.

And while his homes were in Coolkerry and

Northern Virginia

He would go Back

Home to Indiana with dear

Nancy who lovingly,

with friend Dawn

Fed them all.

And remember his

Beloved Bridie Beale

With In the Mood

And let me call you Sweetheart,

And all the family and dear friends

With Irish eyes are

Smiling and

Danny Boy,

So for them

Happy days were

here with him

and they will come again

when he blares it

out and gathers them in, with him,

when the Saints Go Marchin’ In.

(Dr. Judy Lee, 11/8/12)