One last ride.

It couldn’t have been more perfect if I had actually planned it. We woke up friday, the day of the wake, to rainy dreary skies and many phone calls of “are you really still gonna….” and replies of “of course. It’s a Kevin Camping Adventure!” So we had the first requirement for an KCA – lousy cold wet miserable weather on the day it begins.

Then, we’re packing up things, and I almost forgot KEvin’s ashes, thankfully remembered, but DID forget the camera. And thus we have the 2nd requirement for a KCA – forgetting shit. He never once went on a trip without forgetting SOMETHING.

Then! Due to the necessity of Jello shots being made, and the lateness of a couple people, we actually arrived an hour late to our own damn party! And the third requirement was made – always late. Thus, our wake was off to a perfect start.

We had a parade of cars heading out behind us (again, i forgot my camera, all pictures curtesy of the Purplemoose) as we traveled the very long, very wet, very bumpy roads toward Tustamina River/Lake (no one can decide which one we were camped by. *L*) where we parked the bus and tapped the keg and ate dinner. loads of food, and loads of alcohol, and a total of 4 of the campsites combined at the end of the road were commendeered for the festivities.

There were many. Many. Many. people there. Damon brought out the boys boat and there was some messing around on the water…

And yes, that’s the boy driving. Boy was he proud! A lot of people brought things that were special to themselves and Kevin both. Buddy brought the last of a package of cigars that he and Kevin had shared while out camping in that very spot.

And Aunt Ladybug wore her raincoat that he, of course, thought was the shit.

There were his favorite drinks, his favorite people – and even, his utmost favorite: New people.

He never knew a stranger, just friends he hadn’t met yet.

About 10pm, the liquor was flowing, as was the laughter and stories and general mayhem, and I grabbed Kevin’s ashes, and gathered eveyrone at the boat ramp area of the waterfront.

There, Kevin’s dad gave a traditional Gaelic blessing, Guiness in hand, which he then poured and gave his goodbye. He broke the glass, and offered that as well, before I [with T-bug’s questions ringing in my ears as he followed me into the water, which, btw, was FREEZING]…

… gave Kevin back to the water and land that he loved. It was hard, but it was still cleansing and closing too. I held it together, and turned around and declared “Let the beer flow, guys – party on!”

At which point the boys broke out the Jello Shots – I had kevin’s, and mine, and throughout the rest of the night, many more things I can’t even begin to remember. Many of Kevin’s closest friends took the opportunity to have their own private goodbyes as well – someone had brought a case of beer for just such an occasion, and each one would take one, open it, drink a couple swallows, then pour the rest while they said goodbye. Many don’t know that I heard of it, or saw it, but I did – and I know he did, and it was perfectly fitting. It’s how he’d have done it for each and every one of them, as well.

So, at some point I poured myself into the bus and attempted to sleep, which was an adventure in itself as I shared the bus with my three kids, the boy’s best friend and my neice and nephew. guess who got the smallest most uncomfortable seat? Yup, that’d be Auntie Lessa. heh. This morning I am miraculously hangover free, but I’m very very sore and exhausted, but in the same respect, very glad it’s over.

It couldn’t have been more perfect.

Rest in peace, Asshole. I love you.