Article August 30, 2010 Issue

Welcome to the family

BY ADRIENNE JONES

"HOW'S THE FAMILY?" A question frequently asked when meeting with friends and acquaintances. It shows our love and care for one another, and we can usually reciprocate by sharing joy in our own family's progress. The bond of family, and our desire to cheer other people on, is something deeply embedded in our being.

But what if we feel disappointment about some aspect of our family, or have grave concerns about a loved one?

For as long as I can remember, family has always been at the center of my life. While many of my contemporaries were carving out careers, I felt my pursuits were most connected with being a good homemaker, wife, and mother. Yet there were many times I struggled with a sense of burdensome responsibility, or of disappointment and frustration over a family member's behavior.