Family

     What is family? That is a question that many people ask, but they don't have a consistent answer. Some people will say family is the people your share blood with. Others will say it's the people you live with. But to me, family is the people who are there for you when you need them. They are the people that support you regardless of what you need there support on. The essay, "Stone Soup," by Barbara Kingsolver, and A Tree Grows In Brooklyn, by Betty Smith, exemplify great family values. Ohana means family, and family is forever.

    The essay," Stone Soup," shows the meaning of family in many ways. One way it shows is when author Barbara Kingsolver stated, " Divorce, remarriage, single parenthood, gay parents, or blended families simply are. They are the facts of our time." This quote shows that even though divorced, remarried, gay, and blended families are not traditional, they are still as much of families as traditional families are. No families are perfect, even traditional families. I live in a traditional family and we are no where near perfect. My family is me, my mom, dad, and older sister. There are non- traditional families that are more perfect than my traditional family, but the one thing that makes every family is that we love each other. Many people feel that if a family is divorced than the family is broke, but they are not, it is just another hurdle for them to tackle as a family. People also don't agree with gay couples having children because they feel like it is unhealthy. But myself personally feel that if the parents are willing to give that child love, than they have a right to have themselves a family. She also says, "Arguing about whether non-traditional families deserve pity or tolerance is a little like the midieval debate about left-handiness as a mark of the devil." This means that people usually write off non- traditional families as bad families. People don't know whether to show pity to these people or to accept the fact that they aren't perfect. She compares it to left-handiness is a mark of the devil, because back in midieval times, if you were a lefty, you were automatically thought to be a spawn of the devil, much like non-traditional families being broken. Strong families should not let the opinions of the outside world affect them. As long as you know you have your family on your side, you will always be content. The essay, " Stone Soup," gives a very powerful message about how different non-traditional families are treated compared to traditional families.

     Another example of great family values is the novel A Tree Grows In Brooklyn, by Betty Smith. A Tree Grows In Brooklyn is a novel about the trials and tribulations of a poor family living in early 20th century Brooklyn, New York. In the book, Francie says, "I will never trust any women again, except maybe mama and sometimes Aunt Evy and Aunt Sissy." This quote shows that Francie does not trust any women, except for the women in her family. This also shows that family will always be there for you to trust. They will always be there to pick you up when you are down, and they will always be there when you need them. Also, in another quote, Francie says, " My brother is next. His arm is just as dirty as mine so don't be surprised. And you don't have to tell him. You told me." This quote shows that Francie was protecting her brother from getting his feelings hurt. She knows that Neeley is not as emotionally strong as she is, so she does not want the doctor to hurt his feelings. She is watching out for his because he is her brother and she cares for him. The book, A Tree Grows In Brooklyn, it shows family many family values.

     There is one clear-cut definition of family. Family is the people who you can count on. Family is the the people who pick your up when your down. Family is the people you rely on when times are tough. Family is the people who care for you the most. Family is forever and family is never ending.