I'd like to organize a memorial for Teddy (Irish wake?) and combine it with some activity

centered around health care. Any suggestions? I was thinking of something like an Irish wake but not exactly...

Something centered around remembering Teddy, maybe with some food and drink, and getting some postcards signed to senators.

any ideas?

Hell, we did it for Helen Thomas, why not for Vicki Kennedy?

in lieu of flowers, they are recommending donations to the Edward M. Kennedy Insititute for the United States Senate

http://emkinstitute.org/?source=tk

A worthy cause.

It is a tradition. Let's not make light of it and no, not every one gets dead drunk.

>>The term “wake” is interesting. Usually, when we “wake,” it’s morning, and we’re ready to start the day, but used in this context, it means to keep a vigil over the dead the night before the burial. It’s synonymous with the term “viewing” used in the modern funeral parlor industry. The wake is that period of time from death until the body is transported to the church for the funeral rites.

In the not-too-distant past, (and even today among some true diehards, no pun intended) the Irish wake was generally held in the family home. The elder women of the neighborhood would arrive to wash, dress, and lay out the body. The body would be washed and dressed in a shroud or the best outfit. The deceased’s rosary was placed in the hands and a crucifix was placed at the head or on the breast. The body was laid on the bed, board, or table and a candle was lit.
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http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art42808.asp

She pointed out it seemed unlikely they would go anywhere on their own. Why would someone have to sit up with the body?

Dad, trying to impart some realities of a different era to her was frustrated trying to make the point delicately. Finally, he threw up his hands and said: SOMEBODY had to keep the cat off!

Sad, brutally honest, and often funny, my dad.

I didn't know him, of course, but I would imagine he would see that as a fitting tribute.

You can come over, we can drink, then go talk to Max :evilgrin:

online at their mourning website: http://tedkennedy.org/tributes

In leiu of flowers, the Kennedy family requests that you consider a contribution for educational programming at http://emkinstitute.org/?source=tk">Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate.