Don: If you were a long time follower of Karen’s Day, you may remember that there has been a Brunty family reunion each year around the 4th of July. Karen’s sister Ginny along with John, Michael, David and Brandon come down from the D.C. area. The rest of the family all live here. Other attendees would be: Karen’s parents, Ken and Madeline Brunty; Karen’s sister Laura, Darren and Kody; Dennis, Jacob and Dylan; Randy and Heather. Include me, Karen and usually a visit from Big Randy and you could have 18 people in the house at once. The last reunion that Karen was with us didn’t happen in Panama City. Everyone made the trip to Gainesville. You can read about that one in the July ’10 archives.

Karen not being with us for the second time now made for a bittersweet reunion, but we know she wants these reunions to continue. She was very big on family and making sure that her children had strong relationships with the cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents! Everything went as expected and they did all the things that have come to be traditions at past reunions. Shipwreck Island one day, another at the jetties of St Andrews State Park and Cobra Arcade another day. This year they added a visit to Wonderworks and taking Grandpa’s new waverunner to Deer Point Lake.

Karen continues to live in our hearts and memories. The love for her, as well as the pain of her being gone, was very evident throughout the week long gathering. There were many more smiling and happy memories made last week as our lives and the reunion tradition continue! So here’s to the Brunty Family Reunion in loving memory of Karen Brunty Wright Gallagher Cornelius!!!