A post about the Celebration of Life this past Saturday is forthcoming, I promise! However, I did get several requests for the lyrics to the Happiness Song. This song was written by my dad, Bob Keegan.
The Happiness Song
I'm not tryin' to get somethin' for nothin'
I don't need to travel to Paris or Rome
I don't need clothes or very much money
I just want to sing this happiness song
The happiness song
The happiness song
I just need to sing this happiness song
I'm not fighting to pay less taxes
I don't have tales of love gone wrong
I don't need much food
Just some bread and honey
I just need to sing this happiness song
The happiness song
The happiness song
I just need to sing this happiness song
I'm not tryin' to sell you religion
But if you want to follow along
In times of hurting and of sorrow
You just need to sing this happiness song
The happiness song
The happiness song
I just need to sing this happiness song
I'm not writing songs of protest
I love my country, I love my home
But if we had just a few less killings
I could feel this happiness song
The happiness song
The happiness song
I just need to feel this happiness song
The happiness song
The happiness song
I just need to sing this happiness song
The lyrics seemed to change a little each time he sang the song...but you get the idea. Thanks Uncle George for helping me write these down.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Attire Questions for the Celebration of Life/Donation Site Address
Can I wear jeans? - Absolutely
Do I need to wear a suit? - Have you met Bob???
What about a tuxedo? - You probably shouldn't come
See you soon!
If you need an address to send an acknowledgment for donations, please use:
2852 Talisman Court
Atlanta, GA 30345
However, you do not have to send donations to this address.
Do I need to wear a suit? - Have you met Bob???
What about a tuxedo? - You probably shouldn't come
See you soon!
If you need an address to send an acknowledgment for donations, please use:
2852 Talisman Court
Atlanta, GA 30345
However, you do not have to send donations to this address.
Hotel and Travel Information for Out of town Guests
Prepared for you all by Stacey Keegan:
*Keegan family members, check your email for more details*
*Keegan family members, check your email for more details*
Travel Information
The following information was put together for friends and family who will be traveling to the Atlanta area for Bob Keegan’s Celebration of Life party.
Hotels
The following hotels are located approximately 2 miles (5-8 minutes) from the family’s homes:
TownePlace Suites Atlanta Northlake (Recommended)
3300 Northlake Parkway, Atlanta, Georgia 30345
Phone: 1-770-938-0408
Rates (confirmed 1/17/11):
1 Bedroom Studio - $79 plus tax, per night
1 Bedroom Suite (includes 1 Queen bed and pullout sofa) - $89 plus tax, per night
2 Bedroom/2 Bathroom Suite (includes 2 Queen beds and pullout sofa) - $109 plus tax, per night
*All rooms include full kitchens, work spaces and complimentary wireless internet.
Courtyard at Marriott
4083 Lavista Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30084
Phone: 1-770-938-1200
Rates (as quoted online):
King Bed - $84 plus tax, per night
Two Double Beds - $94 plus tax, per night
Hampton Inn
3400 Northlake Parkway, Atlanta, Georgia 30345
Phone: 1-770-493-1966
Rates (as quoted online):
All rooms: $79 plus tax, per night
Doubletree by Hilton
4156 Lavista Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30084
Phone: 1-770-938-1026
Rates (as quoted online):
All rooms: $109 plus tax, per night
Holiday Inn
2185 Ranchwood Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30345
Phone: 1-800-230-4134
Rates (as quoted online):
All rooms: $95.95 plus tax, per night
MARTA
The closest MARTA train stop to the family’s homes is the Chamblee station located on the Gold line. The station’s address is 5200 New Peachtree Road, Chamblee, GA 30341. It is approximately 4.5 miles (10 minutes) from the family’s homes.
The closest MARTA train stop to the location of the Celebration of Life party (Mary Gay House) is the Decatur station located on the Blue line. It is approximately .68 miles from the Mary Gay House.
Weekend Weather
Friday January 20
Mostly cloudy. Highs in the low 60s and lows in the low 50s.
Saturday January 21
Showers. Highs in the low 60s and lows in the mid 40s.
Sunday January 22
Mix of sun and clouds. Highs in the low 60s and lows in the low 50s.
Celebration of Life Party
Location: The Mary Gay House
716 W. Trinity Place
Decatur, GA 30030
Decatur, GA 30030
When: 2PM – 6PM Open House
Attire: Casual – Bob specifically asked that this not be a formal affair.
What: We will serve a mix of finger foods, sweets and PLENTY of beer and wine.
Celebration of Life Party Details
If you didn't know my dad well, then you may not know that he wasn't the most religious of people even after being raised Catholic. In his list of things for us to do, we were to plan a party. No funeral. No viewing of the body. None of that sadness. This was his request and we will honor it so. Here are the details:
Please join the Keegan family as we celebrate the life of Robert (Bob) Keegan at an open house party this Saturday, January 21, 2012 from 2-6PM.
WHERE: The Mary Gay House
716 W. Trinity Place
Decatur, GA 30030
WHAT: A casual get together of friends and family to share memories and enjoy stories about Bob. Let’s raise a glass or two (or ten) to honor Bob in a way he would have liked best – with laughter and good cheer.
PARKING: The Mary Gay House offers free parking on both sides of West Trinity Place and additional parking across the street from the Mary Gay House at St. Thomas More Church. Please observe parking signs posted by the City of Decatur.
*For out of town guests, hotel information will be posted soon*
*In lieu of flowers and food, a donation list was posted on a previous blog*
Monday, January 16, 2012
Farkle! - Monday, January 16, 2012 (This is NOT a happy story)
I have bad news. Really bad news. Bob Keegan (my dad) passed away today, Monday, January 16th around 2:30pm. Love was all around him (me, my mom, my brother, my sister-in-law, and all of your thoughts and prayers). He was a loving and devoted husband, an amazing and inspiring father, a wonderful boss, friend, co-worker and humanitarian. He was loved and admired by more people than one could imagine. He lived life to the fullest and is one of the most generous people I know. And no...I'm not biased.
My dad was awesome! He will be missed more than you can ever imagine. The family appreciates all of your love and support and we know that each of you will miss Bob too. We are currently planning a Celebration of Life party in honor of Bob that will most likely be this Saturday, January 21st.
In true Bob Keegan fashion, he has left a list of things for us to do. Informing people about places to donate, was on the list...so here they are:
In lieu of flowers, here are some places you can donate:
Details will be forthcoming about the party. It will be casual. Per his instructions "this is casual - NOT FORMAL - this is not a coat and tie affair. This is s time to enjoy stories about Bob including his foibles, missteps, silly stories, etc."
My dad was awesome! He will be missed more than you can ever imagine. The family appreciates all of your love and support and we know that each of you will miss Bob too. We are currently planning a Celebration of Life party in honor of Bob that will most likely be this Saturday, January 21st.
In true Bob Keegan fashion, he has left a list of things for us to do. Informing people about places to donate, was on the list...so here they are:
In lieu of flowers, here are some places you can donate:
- CDC Foundation - Louise Martin Endowed Scholarship
- PATH Foundation Atlanta - bike trails
- MSF (Doctors without Borders)
- East Coast Greenway Trail
- Nature Conservancy
- Our House - Decatur
Details will be forthcoming about the party. It will be casual. Per his instructions "this is casual - NOT FORMAL - this is not a coat and tie affair. This is s time to enjoy stories about Bob including his foibles, missteps, silly stories, etc."
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Update - January 15, 2012
Just FYI - if you want to see any of my previous blog posts, you can just scroll down and there is a menu on the right hand side with months and years and I think I've posted every month (or almost every month) something since April 2011.
Bob's condition is getting worse, as we expected. I have loved looking at all the pictures and reading all of the emails that you all have sent. It's amazing to know that my father has touched so many lives. Just wanted to let you know that even if we don't respond right away, we are trying our best to keep everyone informed and are very appreciative of all that you do to show your love for Bob.
My mom, brother, and I are doing as best as we can be doing during this hard time. We are frequently together and are sharing the duty of helping take care of Bob. My aunt Alicia will be here on Tuesday to help out even more. I will try to keep you updated as best I can. He sleeps all day so there isn't much to report.
My aunt Alicia shared some photos of my dad that I have never seen before. See below for some early Bob pictures. Real early :-)
Bob's condition is getting worse, as we expected. I have loved looking at all the pictures and reading all of the emails that you all have sent. It's amazing to know that my father has touched so many lives. Just wanted to let you know that even if we don't respond right away, we are trying our best to keep everyone informed and are very appreciative of all that you do to show your love for Bob.
My mom, brother, and I are doing as best as we can be doing during this hard time. We are frequently together and are sharing the duty of helping take care of Bob. My aunt Alicia will be here on Tuesday to help out even more. I will try to keep you updated as best I can. He sleeps all day so there isn't much to report.
My aunt Alicia shared some photos of my dad that I have never seen before. See below for some early Bob pictures. Real early :-)
Friday, January 13, 2012
Quote of the Day - Jan 13 2012
Dad gets up from his nap and looks like he's trying to get up from the chair.
Me: "Dad, where are you going?"
Dad: "For a jog."
He hasn't lost his sense of humor!
Me: "Dad, where are you going?"
Dad: "For a jog."
He hasn't lost his sense of humor!
Picture Request
All,
Please send your favorite 1-2 pictures of Bob to me. My email address is lkeegan24@gmail.com.
If you need to send more that's fine, just remember...I'm only one person :-)
Thanks in advance!
Bob's Daughter
Please send your favorite 1-2 pictures of Bob to me. My email address is lkeegan24@gmail.com.
If you need to send more that's fine, just remember...I'm only one person :-)
Thanks in advance!
Bob's Daughter
Thursday, January 12, 2012
The Happiness Song
Marcus and I may regret this later...we did this video with my dad at Thanksgiving per his request. One of his bucket list items was to be on YouTube...so now he can check that off his list. Enjoy and sorry Marcus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrcVrN93az8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrcVrN93az8
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
The Doctor Visit - January 11, 2012
So I flew home to Atlanta this morning at 6am because I'm a daddy's girl and he WILL NOT be sick for long periods of time without me here. He was in the hospital for a week and was released Monday night. We (the fabulous four) went to see the oncologist today. To save you from all the sad details, let's just say that this might have been the last doctor visit. Hospice is coming to the house in the morning to begin at-home care. Bob sleeps most of the day and is on various medications to help with the problems he has due to a failing liver. He has stopped reading emails as he can no longer read them or stay awake long enough to read them. He isn't really in the mood for visitors, as one could expect. But please know that we as a family receive all of your kind words and emails and they fill us with joy to know that our father (her husband) is loved by so many people. Hopefully the hospice nurses will be able to get him back to functioning a little more normally. And trust me, if that does happen...you all will be the first to know. Okay...maybe not the first, but you get my drift.
Right now, I'm sitting in the living room and he is asleep in his recliner. He has the blanket that I gave him for Christmas covering him (it has 30 photos of the family on it) and he is snoring. The rest of the Keegans in this house are about to have a drink!
Right now, I'm sitting in the living room and he is asleep in his recliner. He has the blanket that I gave him for Christmas covering him (it has 30 photos of the family on it) and he is snoring. The rest of the Keegans in this house are about to have a drink!
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Hospital Stay #2
Well, my dad is back in the hospital. His first long-stay visit to the hospital a little after Thanksgiving can no longer be considered a fluke visit. The new doctors at his new hospital think they have figured out why he has been unable to keep down food and has had several bouts with nausea and vomiting. They did an ultrasound of his liver yesterday and found a blood clot. The doctors say this clot is treatable and are keeping him in the hospital while they get "things under control." He is very tired and taking a lot of medication. And if you know Bob at all, he's having a BLAST in the hospital (sarcasm). I haven't spoken to him much, but my brother, Uncle Timmy, and my mom have been keeping me updated on his progress and his daily activities. We are hoping he will be back home in a couple of days and once that happens I will be sure to keep everyone updated.
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