Pandora, thank you ever so much for those kind words. I believe it is worth mentioning here that the family closeness we enjoy is not due to accident or good luck. Jim and I both were raised in families that were not so supportive, not abusive by any means, but definitely not close either. When we met we were both hurting from that lack of support, and early on in our relationship decided we did not want that for our children and other members of our extended family. We worked very dilligently to transform our family into what we wanted it to be, to the point where currently our children, nephews, niece and grandchildren all pretty much take that closeness for granted. We even forget ourselves, that we created this to begin with! We are truly seeing the results, as the younger generation is now treating each other with so much care and closeness, and passing it on to their own children, no doubt. We are truly blessed for how well our work has paid off.

Perhaps Pandora, you are not able to have that closeness with your own parents, and truly Jim and I both understand the pain of that. However, you do have the power to pass it on to your own children, current or future. It really is up to you. If you are willing to work at it hard enough you can create your own wonderful family, just as we have.