or How I met your… When I first saw John, I was sitting on the grass in the Bradens’ backyard at a party with way too many teenagers and not one adult. (It always struck me that the man who wrote Eight Is Enough left his eight children, many of them teenagers, alone for days,Continue reading “17. When John Met Kate”
Author Archives: Kate Reilly Brinkley
16. The Sky Is Not the Limit
I’ve heard you talk about your brother Kevin for the last two years, Kate, and I never knew he was a quadriplegic, said my friend Sandy. How can that be? Well, I guess that’s not what comes to mind when I think of Kevin. It seems like Kevin has spent his life, post-injury, making theContinue reading “16. The Sky Is Not the Limit”
15. A Lifelong Alliance
In the summer of 1960, a family moved in two doors down from us. That afternoon, I watched as the movers unloaded a huge moving van. From my vantage point on the front porch, I saw a little girl of about my size climbing the front steps to the house. I walked inside and foundContinue reading “15. A Lifelong Alliance”
14. Lawyers, Guns, & Money
Sneaking out of the house on Jocelyn Street was easy; sneaking back in required strength and agility. Joe, Kevin, and Brian agree that getting out the third floor window and dropping down to the porch roof wasn’t too difficult. The house was built in 1910, and the wooden gutters were built into the roof itself.Continue reading “14. Lawyers, Guns, & Money”
13. The Man Who Loved My Mother
My father was eight years old in the 1918 influenza pandemic. His father died in the second wave that hit the U.S. in the autumn of that year. On Armistice Day, Annie Reilly and her five children were headed to Peter Reilly’s funeral. Crowds filled the streets of Pittsburgh to celebrate the end of theContinue reading “13. The Man Who Loved My Mother”
12. If you’re going to San Francisco…
When I was ten, my parents sent me to visit my sister Maureen in San Francisco. In my lavender Easter dress, matching jacket, and white patent leather shoes, I flew across the country. My uncle, who was general counsel for United Airlines, had secured a first class seat for me. The stewardess brought me aContinue reading “12. If you’re going to San Francisco…”
11. You say alligator; I say crocodile
Brian is sure it was an American alligator. He describes the vivid markings as though he can see them still. Kevin is equally certain that it was a caiman, which is a type of small crocodile. I suppose Kevin should know since he was the one who dropped down into the enclosure outside the reptileContinue reading “11. You say alligator; I say crocodile”
10. Crybabies, Cigars and a Hog
The night before I married Jeff, the father of my daughter Maeve, my brother Brian stood up at the rehearsal dinner and said, Welcome to the family, Jeff. I wish you and my sister much happiness…but if you hurt her, you’ll have me to answer to. This protective streak was nothing new to me. MyContinue reading “10. Crybabies, Cigars and a Hog”
9. Christmas Eve
When we were young, my mother perpetuated the myth that, along with all the toys, Santa Claus brought the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. If you have celebrated Christmas as a parent, you undoubtedly agree that this is a sure-fire way to ruin Christmas for parents. Nevertheless, Mom persisted. She had no doubt in theContinue reading “9. Christmas Eve”
8. BFFs, Pt. 2
Although I am no endocrinologist, I am certain there is a direct link between pubescent girls’ estrogen-producing ovaries and the area in the frontal lobe where laughter is stimulated. Often this laughter has nothing to do with anything humorous. Just as often this connection can lead to a critical lack of judgment. Once Carol andContinue reading “8. BFFs, Pt. 2”
Life of Reillys 