In the summer of 2004 my mom got some bad news from the doctor. She was raised in an incredible family so it wasn’t long until her siblings began to arrive at her home to offer support. Deb and I spent most of that summer with her too, so although there were times when the conversations were serious and sad, most of the time was spent listening to great old stories and taking part in some sheer Doonan foolishness.

The day of the “photoshoot” is an example. Aunt Ina and Aunt Doris were visiting. Someone decided it would be nice to take a picture of the 3 sisters and I was the chosen photographer. If you’ve ever tried to take a Doonan’s picture you’ll know that not all of them are cooperative at picture time. I managed to get them into the sunlit kitchen but nobody was in a real smiley mood. Aunt Doris was especially anxious to get it over with (“Hurry up and take it, you slather ass!” is what I think I remember her saying).

Thanks to my i-phone having tons of film I just started snapping. I used my very best photographer banter… “Work with me, ladies! Work with me!”. Stuff like that. I tried shots from different angles including some from flat on my back on the floor. The smiles started coming, then the giggles, the laughs, the tears and, finally, the pee.

Mom laughed about that afternoon many times in the months to come, and when her other siblings showed up the pictures would come out… blurry or not. She was lucky to have such great sisters and brothers and I’m lucky to have such great aunts and uncles.  I’ve always said, “There are two kinds of people… the Doonans, and those who wish they were Doonans.” 🙂

Almost 10 years later… Makari takes mom’s spot between Aunt Ina and Aunt Doris. 🙂

All 11 Doonan sisters…