Elastic Families

In this wonky day and time, this favored temperate clime dares suggest wisdom's course espouse prevalent societal force.* Family tree boundaries, stretched by current modes like an old elastic band, accept new branches hung precariously on the old sturdy trunk. Old Limbs are newly bushed with leaves bearing prefixes with measuring sounds; third, adopted, step, half - or followed by modifiers; in-law, live-in, significant other. Partners and lovers get tied on with slippery ribbons, names entered in a ledger, but not with permanent ink. Disjointed families, add-ons, and second family births leave our children wondering to whom they belong. *Adulterated quote from “A Traitor to Memory” by Susan Elizabeth George, Published in 2001, Bantam Books, a Div. of Random House, Inc. Top of Page 87