Dancing like the Greeks

When I think of Jamie I remember a beautiful, bright, and curious young woman who had a spirit for adventure. I was a teacher in her world. At Conestoga she was an accomplished athlete and a top student. I didn’t influence her academic or athletic world. I shared my passion for travel and other cultures with my students by taking them to different parts of the world. Jamie joined my trip to Greece and it is in this experience that we became friends.

Like a little kid in a candy store, Jamie absorbed the museums of ancient Greece and walked the Acropolis. She wasn’t just there for the sun and the cruise. Jamie enjoyed learning. One night I took the students to a garden for dinner and live music. As we sat and listened to the Greek music, people gathered in a circle on the stage. They created a wild circling motion and their feet moved quickly to match the instrumental beats. I shouted out to the students “Come on, I didn’t bring you here to sit and watch. Let’s dance!” The students sat timidly ignoring me. I joined the circle and next to me was Jamie O’Brien with her big smile. We danced wildly and laughed until we were exhausted and had to take a rest. She said ” You’re crazy , Mrs. Barry.” And I responded, “But , isn’t it fun?” We laughed and danced. She wasn’t afraid to put herself out there. She enjoyed the adventure. Her eyes always spoke for her.
During the day we were surrounded by the sea as we gazed from cliffs. She loved the sea. I gave the students some time on the beach. I can still see Jamie’s bronze shimmering skin as she splashed in the water. She was like a mermaid.

From the tales of mythology to dancing like the Greeks, Jamie and I became friends. Our relationship passed the teacher – student relationship as Michael and I became friends with her loving parents, Dan and Maureen. We got to know Doug and Kathryn, too. Jamie continued to be a part of our world and as she aged we learned more about each other. We shared common political views, loved Ireland and teased each other about baseball rivalries. I remember one night in Rock Hall when the Yankees played Boston and there was a lot of yelling at the bar that night. I don’t think the yanks won to her disappointment, but she gave her all and was a good sport. It was that spirit that is missed most, but will always be remembered.

As Jamie became a young woman, she developed her own individual style. It was striking in a special way. She developed confidence in herself and strived to make her way in the business world. She loved New York and spent time there. The world was her oyster in so many ways. She was also kind to others. She extended herself to my daughter, Audrey, when Audrey was trying to find employment and needed direction. It is the little things that make the difference to a person’s feelings and Jamie knew how to make a person feel special. Audrey appreciated her time.

Jamie’s love for her family was always seen through her actions; not just words. When her grandmother was sick she would drive with her mother to visit her grandmother. When her grandfather lived with her parents spending time with him was important. Her brother and sister were the sun and the moon in her world. I will never forget her phone call to her mother when her 10th grade brother, Doug, kicked the winning soccer goal. Maureen and I were at the storytelling festival in Tennessee. The phone rang and Jamie was shouting that Doug won the game. She was so proud of him. As for Kathryn, she was her little sister who she aimed to protect in a loving way. She didn’t want Kat to experience some of the Conestoga nonsense that went on between girls. As the big sister, she was always there for them. Family holidays were important. She loved Thanksgiving and her dad’s mash potatoes. No one made mashed potatoes like Dan O’Brien and she never let him forget it.

When Maureen shared that Jamie found love in Mexico it was in Maureen’s special storytelling way. She told how they were inseparable and gave her little “it’s out of my control” chuckle. As the relationship with Paul blossomed, it was obvious that Paul was special and “he was the one”. Her wedding took her to Rhinebeck where she had family ties. Her wedding day was enchanted beginning at the church, to time in Rhinebeck to the beautiful reception and sunset on the Hudson River. I still have a copy of Dan’s wedding email where Jamie thanks everyone with her loving words for being there that day.

I could go on and on as my memory recalls little conversations with her and with her parents. Jamie will be forever young and beautiful to us. She will always be remembered because of the way she made each of us feel. As her children grow, little parts of Jamie will continue.

I am happy that I was a part of Jamie’s world.

– Maureen Barry