Mum and Dad, I got married in the midst of one of the most difficult times of my life. Hans and I were still grieving a horrible loss. I am grateful for how intimate our wedding was. We were surrounded by people who love us. You were both so beautiful and beaming. I remember thinking when I saw you together all dressed up, “I hope my marriage is as wonderful as theirs’.
So much of that day was a blur- so many emotions and people. There are 2 that I remember clearly, though. Mum- we were alone after I put my dress on and you just smiled so big and hugged me hard. No one was around and it was just us and I remember every second of it.
Daddy- I remember glimpses of you with a big smile and chatting away with everyone; but there were a few minutes that I will cherish forever and that is when we danced together. I have a somewhat blurry photo of it and it is precious.
I love you both so much.
Kerry

I love you both so much and am with you heart and soul. I couldn’t ask for better parents. I love you.

I am so glad to be with you these weeks! I love you both.❤️

Thursday was your birthday! It was nice to chat, even for just a few minutes. I love you so much, Dad.

I am not sure how you found out that I loved Billie Holiday, dad. I can’t remember myself when/how I discovered her! I was not even 13 and we were living on Child’s Street. There was a cassette tape of Billie Holiday! I also remember loving the cover so much, that I drew it on a huge piece of paper mum gave to me and used pastels to color it in. I still love her music and it was a must during our wedding in Gloucester.

I have such incredibly vivid memories of that blizzard! I remember that our apartment was filled with people because we had gas- is that right? Mum made a massive pot of spaghetti and sauce. Nani was with us, the neighbors and all of us kids played through the night. It was like a big party.
I know we have photos of Brendan and I in our red snowsuits standing in front of the absolutely gigantic snowman you built with us, dad!`

In 1985, Dad surprised me with tickets to my first real art exhibition at the Boston Museum of Fine Art: Renoir. It was such an inspiring and beautiful experience. It was the beginning of my love of art; appreciating, making and teaching it. Thank you!

I remember an evening when we lived on Forest Hill Ave., that mum taught me, the LeBlanc and Corcoran kids how to do the Le Freak dance outside, on the bottom patio of our house. She put it on to play with a window open and we got in a line with mum in front, and she taught us the dance. Mum was so pretty 🙂

Dad, you spent so many weekends carting me back and forth to lessons for years. I have one very distinct memory- not of a show, but my early morning saturday lesson. I realize now that you had worked late the night before, but still got up and took me to the stables. You never indicated you were tired; and you must have been. I remember riding the outdoor ring and you leaning on the fence, watching every moment. I remember being so determined to impress you 🙂 Thank you for working tirelessly so that I could have years of horseback riding.

I have so many memories from when we lived on Forest Hill Avenue. I loved our playroom on the sun porch, the big closet in the kitchen and my room with purple shag rug, wall paper with little purple flowers and my white (with gold accent!) furniture. I loved my desk and bookcase the most!
What was so much fun were Saturdays; especially the mornings. Brendan and I were allowed to wake up early, get cereal and watch cartoons from 7 until 11 in our pajamas. Once Saturday morning bowling started, we knew it was over 🙂 We helped mum polish the furniture. She would open the windows and set up records on the big, wood stereo in the dining room. Barry Manilow was always a definite. Mum would clean the kitchen and at some point grocery shopping would be done. During the unpacking, Mum, Brendan and I would always sneak a slice of pepperoni and a slice of provolone. Dad would putter around, vacuum and listen to an Irish music station. I remember him doing yard work, too.
I know things were not always easy and you both were working hard at home and school; and dad working 2 jobs. I have so many happy memories from that time. We never, ever wanted for a thing. Every holiday was special, friends, swimming lessons, horseback riding, and parties. You made sure we were safe, happy and enjoyed our childhoods. Mum, thank you for being home and making our house beautiful and safe. Dad, thank you for working so tirelessly at your jobs but always having time for us!

I had been living in Philadelphia for about 9 months and took Amtrak home for a long weekend. Dad, you picked me up at South Station and asked if you could buy me a beer. It was a simple moment, but I felt like an adult. We walked to an Irish bar, ordered 2 beers, and I told you about my week. What I remember most about that night is that you asked me so many questions about my work and if I was happy 🙂

I have so, so, SO many memories connected to music! I think there will be a lot of posts associated with it 🙂
For now though, one is sticking out in my mind very clearly and it is one of my most favorite experiences of my life, Daddy.
On July 21, 1990, you took me to Foxboro Stadium to see David Bowie. It was a warm night and we sat somewhere in the middle- high enough to see the stadium but close enough to really see the stage. There were large screens on the stage with black and white video and David Bowie was wearing a very snazzy suit. You said to me with a smile, ‘Kerry, this guy has class’. I felt so special!
When I moved to Philadelphia, I made a playlist of that night’s set list. I have, over the years, played it often when I felt homesick.