“It is a challenge, because you are constantly blending families, ... You are taking children from other families and bringing them into your home and hoping everyone can adapt.”

“Everybody can talk about family members who have mental health problems, and there is rarely a family you can find that hasn't experienced mental illness.”

I'm not sure if I know any 'functional' families, if functional means a family without difficult times and members who don't have a full range of problems.

“This event really makes good use of the county parks. This is very family-oriented. We encourage people to bring out the whole family to enjoy the day in the park.”

None of us could choose our birth, but we could still chose our family, and only those who love you are your true family.

This is part of what a family is about, not just love. It's knowing that your family will be there watching out for you. Nothing else will give you that. Not money. Not fame. Not work.

“The chili supper is a family event. Children ... are welcome. People usually just come and stay. It's a light-hearted time for families to get together with lots of visiting.”

“She was one very nice lady. She was the last member of a family with roots in Iowa. It was a family of some wealth. She lived comfortably here, but it was never flaunted.”

“I?m sad. I?m sad for (the Rodriguez) family. I?m sad that my family had to go through this, ... The truth set me free.”

“In the beginning, this is about heart connections. Sitting the family down at a meal is the place where we come together, so why not to bring the two 'families' of the cultures together?”