One of 18 - NOT Just a Number

Here we are! The final installment of ONE OF 18 - NOT JUST A NUMBER.  Episode 18: Epilogue - The Legacy Continues. We are launching this grand finale on October 5th to honor the birthday of our beloved Patriarch, John Foster Callaghan.    We begin with a brief summation of each sibling’s journey thus far. Then, 18 of our parents’ grandchildren share their reflections on being part of our large Cal...

Episode Seventeen, "O GOD OUR HELP IN AGES PAST" is a tribute to our beloved father, John Foster Callaghan. For a Gallery of Images related to this episode, go to https://www.oneof18notjustanumber.com/episode-seventeen. Credits: Sound Engineer - Chip Kipps | Original Music - Harold Crisman (Grandchild #38) | Produced by Christopher Thomas #12 & Mary Cecelia # 14 | Executive Assistants - Christina...

Episode 16 - "There is a Balm in Gilead" honors the life and death of Mary O'Brien Callaghan. For a Gallery of Images related to this episode, go to https://www.oneof18notjustanumber.com/episode-sixteen. Credits: Sound Engineer - Chip Kipps | Original Music - Harold Crisman (Grandchild #38) Violin - Sonia Lee | Produced by Christopher Thomas # 12 & Mary Cecelia # 14 | Executive Assistants - Christ...

In Episode Fifteen, we honor our parents’ Golden Wedding anniversary - 50 years of marriage! And our father’s retirement after 62 years as a professional Church Organist and Choir Director. For a Gallery of Images related to this episode, go to  https://www.oneof18notjustanumber.com/episode-fifteen ⁠. Credits: Sound Engineer - Chip Kipps | Original Music - Harold Crisman (Grandchild #38) Violin -...

In Episode Fourteen we will introduce you to four serious characters with real character.  You will meet Monsignor James Edward Callaghan (our Uncle Jim), Fr. Patrick Cornelius Callaghan (our Uncle Chuddy), Ann O’Brien (our Great Aunt Ann) and Frances Marion Brown (Franny). You will hear our Uncle Chuddy regale you with song. Franny Brown will captivate you with her narration of a classic Christma...

In Episode Thirteen “SILVER & A PURE HEART OF GOLD” we celebrate our parents milestone -their 25th wedding anniversary, our Nana Callaghan moves in with us at Manor Road and we honor the unspeakable loss of Eleanor Callaghan. For a Gallery of Images related to this episode, go to  https://www.oneof18notjustanumber.com/episode-thirteen . Credits: Sound Engineer - Chip Kipps | Original Music - H...

In Episode 12, THE LAST HURRAH, we will take you on a journey to another big but wonderful move and you meet our precious baby-of-the-family sister, Bridget Louise, # 18 not just a number. For a Gallery of Images related to this episode, go to  https://www.oneof18notjustanumber.com/episode-twelve . Credits: Sound Engineer - Chip Kipps | Original Music - Harold Crisman (Grandchild #38) | Produced b...

In Episode Ten: "IT'S A DOUBLE HEADER!" you met The Twins, Mary #14 & Joseph #15 who were born exactly a week before Christmas (hence their names). In Episode Eleven: "A BIG HEART & THE BIG MOVE" you will meet Teresa Maureen #16 - NOT just a number, our big-hearted beautiful sister and we will take you on THE BIG MOVE from the Eastside of Detroit to the Northern sub...

In Episode Ten "It's a DOUBLEHEADER!" You will be introduced to the twins, Mary Cecelia # 14 & Joseph Henry # 15, who were born one week before CHRISTMAS! For a Gallery of Images related to this episode, go to  https://www.oneof18notjustanumber.com/episode-ten . Credits: Sound Engineer - Chip Kipps | Original Music - Harold Crisman (Grandchild #38) | Produced by Christopher Thoma...

Welcome to Episode 9: A TRIPLE THREAT - Clare Frances #11 (curious), Christopher Thomas #12 (keen) & Kevin Martin #13 (clever) - NONE of whom are just a number. We are back in 1949 where our family continues its courageous & epic journey! Please remember to click on the link to go to https://www.oneof18notjustanumber.com/episode-nine to view our Photo Gallery which provides accompanied pho...

In Episode Seven we introduced & honored our Sister Ann Elizabeth #9 - A GENTILE SOUL. In Episode Eight we will introduce & honor another Beloved Sister, Patricia Eileen # 10 - NOT just a number. Please remember to click on the link to go to  https://www.oneof18notjustanumber.com/episode-eight  to view our Photo Gallery which provides accompanied photos. Credits: Sound Engineer - Chip Kipp...

In Episode 6 we introduced you to Mary Kathleen (Kathy) # 6, Edward Dennis # 7 & William Joseph # 8.  In Episode 7 “A GENTLE SOUL” We Will Honor Ann Elizabeth # 9 - NOT just a number. For a Gallery of Images related to this episode, go to https://www.oneof18notjustanumber.com/episode-seven . Credits: Sound Engineer - Chip Kipps | Original Music - Harold Crisman (Grandchild #38) | Produced by C...

In Episode Five you were introduced to our brother, Brian # 5 - A LOVER NOT A FIGHTER. Welcome to Episode Six: "MY HAT IT HAS THREE CORNERS", where you will meet Mary Kathleen # 6, Edward Dennis # 7, and William Joseph # 8 - none of whom is just a number! For a Gallery of Images related to this episode, go to  https://www.oneof18notjustanumber.com/episode-six . Credits: Sound Engineer -...

Mother would always say that our brother Brian Francis # 5 was conceived in Detroit but born in Oswego, New York. She was uncertain that a Detroit hospital would suffice and thought the baby best be born back in Oswego! Brian Francis #5 is born September 30th, 1943. From the beginning Brian was a lover not a fighter. On October 16, 1994, our hearts broke as we said goodbye to Brian. In this Episod...

AND THE BEAT GOES ON commences with the Spring of 1938 with our father pursuing his degrees at Syracuse University. You will be introduced to John Foster # 2, Paul Edward # 3 and James Patrick # 4 - none of whom are certainly NOT JUST A NUMBER.  Then we take a journey from our parents’ hometown of Oswego, NY to the East side of Detroit, MI when our father is hired to be the Organist and Music Dire...

The oldest of our Callaghan tribe was Margaret Virginia # 1.  Margaret was born in Oswego, New York on October 20, 1937.  She was a gorgeous baby with blue-blue eyes and blond curls.  Both grandmothers’ names were Margaret so her given name was an obvious choice. The first # 1 grandchild on both sides, she was dearly loved.  Sadly, on June 13, 2011. Margaret died - leaving us utterly heartbroken. ...

Welcome to "One of 18 - NOT Just a Number: Episode Two.  In our first episode we introduced you to our parents Mary O’Brien Callaghan and Jack Callaghan.  In Episode Two we explore more about our parents' upbringing and their indoctrination to Catholicism, to Music and to each other. In addition, you will also be introduced to Margaret Virginia - #1: our beloved big sister who offered ste...

Welcome to "One of 18-NOT just a number." Who knew that when our parents were cast in High School as the romantic leads in H.M.S. Pinafore that they would fall in love, marry and... have 18 children.  Join us on this unique journey as we recall growing up with 17 brothers and sisters with our mother, Mary O'Brien Callaghan and Jack Callaghan at the helm. Our parents' tenacity and...

Welcome to "One of 18 - NOT just a number."