The Garry / O’Briens did their Reunion a little differently this year. The main event was still held at Reid Park off Leffel’s Lane in Springfield, OH, 1 p m sharp, with Jimmy Garry running the grill.
But the night before, the cousins – once the younger generation, now the pa/matriarchs (some said geezers) – got together for dinner in airconditioning. A mix of Garrys, O’Briens and Bumgarners. After dinner, we went back to cousin Carl’s house, and decided to try to put all 31 of us on a list in birth order. We were just about the top half of the list.
We managed the first five pretty easily, and then got all mixed up with the next bunch – and forgot the order of the first five. With a lot of laughter and stories about our moms and dads and grands, we got the list together – in writing this time – to be amended on Saturday by the younger half.
Then we started on birthdays. That worked out fairly well. While the list was being completed by the younger set on Saturday, my sister Maureen suggested gathering emails in addition to birthdays.
I’m betting we have a directory by this time next year. All those rowdy Irish American folk gathered in one book. The only time they’ll be quiet.