Blog

Food for the body and soul

The 5th of July marked The Harper Family Cookbook launch, and what a day out it was. We met at Sandsford’s court in Kilkenny, home of the oldest Harper, Uncle Sam (99) and his son, Dougie.

Had the weather been in our favour, we would have spread out on blankets in a field, but as it was windy enough to blow the sandwich right out of your hand, Dougie kindly prepared a farm shed for us.

Five years ago, this corrugated tin shed had a massive makeover to host the wedding of Dougie’s nephew Micheal and his bride Edith. Five years on however, the faded grandeur of that celebration still hangs limply from the ceiling. The wonder in a five year old’s eyes that a shed could have a chandelier, was a fitting setting for this family gathering. We were as comfortable in a storage shed as we would have been in a fancy hotel. It’s the people that matter after all. And so many people! Before 2020, having a gathering of 70 people would have been nothing to blink at. But as the families rolled in, all staying in their family groups, and spilling out of the shed, that sense of awe, of relief came rolling in too. It was so good to see family. To strengthen the bonds that connect us. 

And the question on everyone’s lips? “How are you?”, ”How was Lockdown?”, “Were you working or at home?” The relief of talking to people who have a shared experience and the quiet gratitude that we could be together again was a balm to the soul.

There were strains too, the quiet murmur of many people talking together is something none of us had experienced in half a year. The stepping up to someone but keeping your distance and remembering not to sweep your 80 year old aunt up into a hug. The desperate need to stifle that sneeze, not to cough or sniffle. The shock of being around so many people, the unfamiliarity and the tiredness that hit from social exhaustion (the antithesis of the Harper family experience).

The highlights were dizzyingly high though. Seeing the growth of once small children. The announcement of a new baby on the way. The display of art from Nigel and Kyria Smith. The belly laughs that echoed all around and warmed that place in your spirit that you hadn’t even realised was cold. Breaking bread together is not an unfamiliar act within the family, and while we didn’t share as we usually would, with everyone bringing their own and keeping to themselves, it was still the act of eating together that made things more normal. And because we Harpers love to eat, to come together over food, it was only fitting that we were eating at the launch of The Harper Family Cookbook. Officially launched by Jill Callanan, who was the brains behind the operation, thanks were given and congratulations passed around, to a background of laughter and clapping.

The cookbook itself is beautiful. Its thick glossy pages and gorgeous photos pull you in, and the compilations of recipes and stories behind them (put together by Nigel Smith) are what keeps you reading, long after you’ve found yourself drooling. The book is 231 pages and chock full of family history, photos and fun with new traditions and recipes that have come from the family spreading around the world. To quote the book itself, the purpose of it is “to help our extended family preserve and enjoy the amazing food we have all come to love as a family”. These ”time-tested recipes… will serve as a family legacy”. The next time we meet as a family, I’m sure the tradition of everyone bringing a dish to share will be pulled from the cookbook itself. After all, there’s nothing like having a little bit of everything that’s good; food and family. 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

To see and buy some of Nigel and Kyria’s amazing art, visit their website www.wolfandbear.co

When Sgt. Robert Harper was posted to Kilkenny in the early 1800’s, he hardly imagined that just shy of 200 years later, 170 plus of his descendants from 9 different countries would gather virtually for a family reunion! 

The Harper family had been planning their 5th reunion in Kilkenny College from 16th -19th April, but due to the corona pandemic, the reunion had to be postponed. Our last reunion in 2013, part of The Gathering celebration, saw 274 people gather from 11 different countries. Since then there has been 21 marriages and 45 births, and sadly the loss of 10 family members.

Not to be out done by the corona virus, We organised this virtual reunion on Zoom to mark the weekend it was to take place on. Three meet-ups on Saturday and one on Sunday afternoon were scheduled to accommodate as many time zones as possible.

When those in Ireland had a morning cuppa in their hand, and the Australian cousins were having supper, we started with an opening welcome and some breakout chat rooms.  Some conversations begin with “Auntie Helen, your mike is still on” or “How come we can’t see Emma in Lisbon?”. Echoes of Eurovision where heard too, “Sweden, are you ready?”. 

As North America started to wake, they joined us in the afternoon for our Family tree talk by Gordon Harper (Ireland) and David Harper (Canada). Followed by breakout rooms discussing A.I., health and healing, farming, family history, and chat and banter. It was wonderful to hear from our oldest member, Uncle Sam, who will be 100 years old in October. Normally not one to embrace the stage, Zoom provided the perfect means for him to share his words of wisdom to an eager audience. The good news of the birth of the youngest member, Zeph Robert Harper born on Friday 17^thApril 2020 in the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin. Enabled us to congratulate the proud parents Graham and Cathriona Harper, and big brother Reuben.

Later that evening, as our family in Maui were starting their day, Norwegian cousins dazzled our screens with their dance moves for the evening talent show. Among the performers that evening was 9 year old Yasmine Harper in Sheffield (UK), who played her violin and brother Luke (13) on the piano. Art was displayed by Ellie and Lauren Harper in Kilkenny (Ireland) and some of Ben Harper’s work with Giant Animation was viewed from their show reel. The moon, stars and galaxies over head in Co. Clare where captured by David Wades’ photography skills, and brought to us by screen sharing. 

That evening the Harper family cook book was revealed by Nigel Smyth (www.wolfandbear.co). The goal of this book was to help our extended family preserve and enjoy the amazing food we have all come to love as a family. The book is filled with wonderful stories, pictures, and delicious time-tested recipes that will serve as a family legacy to be cherished for generations.

Sunday afternoon was a collaborative experience as the wide breath of Christian expression within the family came together on Zoom. Live and recorded music came from families in Kilkenny and London. Recorded and animated media gave the kids and teens something to enjoy. The elders in the family shared from their years of faith, which was deeply encouraging in this time of separation and uncertainty. Communion was celebrated by Rev. Paul Taylor and prayers spoken by people of different generations and destinations. 

Over the weekend the events on Zoom were recorded for posterity by the hosts. The closing task fell on Alister Shaw to organise the whole group and capture them in multiple screen shots. Family members were called in from other rooms, Zoom names changed from iPhone/iPad to reflect the person’s name and finally the challenge of getting toddlers to sit still while this was all happening.