Family Matters - a Compilation of Short Stories, Essays, Poetry, and Memories

Family. In Spanish that's familia. In Italian, famiglia. In Irish it is teaghlaigh and in Polish it's rodzina. Throughout history, family has always been a complicated topic. It's that complexity which brings a family its joy and strength. There is of course the biologic construction of a family. A sperm meets an egg and their DNA mix randomly together. What results is a completely unique one-of-a-kind person. Even with identical twins there are subtle differences, because...
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Family. In Spanish that's familia. In Italian, famiglia. In Irish it is teaghlaigh and in Polish it's rodzina. Throughout history, family has always been a complicated topic. It's that complexity which brings a family its joy and strength.

There is of course the biologic construction of a family. A sperm meets an egg and their DNA mix randomly together. What results is a completely unique one-of-a-kind person. Even with identical twins there are subtle differences, because DNA tends to have mutations as it splits and grows, and because chemicals in the womb can sometimes impact one embryo more than another.

No two people are ever alike.

Birth mother, birth father, and child. A family is not just about these three specific individuals. There are in many cases full siblings, half-siblings, and step-siblings. There can be a range of aunts and uncles, grandmothers and grandfathers, stepparents and guardians.

Sometimes this collection of people is wholly and full-heartedly supportive. At other times, with people being the unique individuals that they are, they can have their own views on life. And that's where the "chosen family" comes in.

We always have the ability to choose and make our own family. We decide who we wish to fall in love with and spend our lives with. We choose to bring additional lives into our universe, whether it's by having biologic children, adopting children, forging connections with true friends of all ages, or any other combination of relationships.

Family is about a cheerleading squad. It's about having the support you need to reach your goals. It's about knowing, when life gets you down, that a group of people are there to hold you tight and to help you back up on your feet again.

Family is to be treasured.

Enjoy this collection of poetry, essays, short stories, memories, photos, and drawings which celebrate the wondrous diversity which is family.

Authors featured in this compilation are:

Christine Beauchaine
Meghan Cameron
Curtis K. Corey
Juliana Cummings
Linda DeFeudis
Young Farwell
Stephen Halpert
Tasha Halpert
Thomas Hollyday
Sheryl Lynn Kimball
Julia Kneeland
S. M. Nevermore
Jane Nozzolillo
Ibi Obomanu
Lily Penter
Kevin Paul Saleeba
Lisa Shea
Ophelia Sikes
Charles Smith
Tawny Spring
Ann Zimage

The Sutton Writing Group supports local Toys for Tots programs.