Families are not always related by blood. More than once I’ve heard people say “He’s not really a Smith, because he’s adopted but a husband and wife aren’t blood relation either. Case in point the first family; Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
And the old saying that blood is thicker than water doesn’t always hold true. Take for instance Cain and Abel, both sons of Adam and Eve, brothers in the truest sense yet Cain murdered Abel. Non biological families related by adoption or fostering are related by choice, united by love and committed by word and deeds.
I believe family is the bedrock of society. If families are strong, communities will be strong. If communities are strong, nations will be strong. If nations are strong, then our world will be strong. But what is a family?
When I hear the term family I think of the Cleavers or Father Knows Best, as the paradigm (model) of the American Family. The husband/father was the breadwinner while the wife/mother was a mom 100% of the time with the responsibilities of caring, nurturing, and educating their children, particularly in behavior, morals, religious upbringing. She was also responsible for the daily operations of the household, meals and clothing.
Communication within this type of family unit was crucial, along with teamwork, shared purpose, commitment and love. This family structure was challenged in the ’60s and found to be archaic in the ’70s as women were duped into believing they were equivalent to men if they earned a paycheck. As women ventured into the job market the typical family structure changed. Over the years we heard of latchkey children, single mothers, families living below poverty level, deadbeat fathers, free lunches, government assistance, etc. In retrospect it seems we women fell victim to the serpent’s guile again. We believed we could have it all but it’s possible that we sacrificed time better spent raising our families. As children none of us ever knew if we were poor, but as parents we always want to give our children a better life than we knew.
I’m not faulting any woman for getting an education or job, nor am I faulting them for trying to raise a family while working 40 hours a week. If I were to find fault it would be in those of us who dismissed children by means with birth control and abortion. How could we women ever have thought entering the workforce could be superior to giving birth?
So often I feel like we as a society have gotten off track. I realize that all families regardless of the era have had their issues, it just seems we easily fall victim to the enticements dangled before us. As people we will always have repercussions from the choices we make. Thank goodness we have grandparents stepping up to help share in the rearing of today’s youth.
Upcoming events:
Congratulations to Bob and Alex Paulus on the grand opening of Snoozy’s Great American Sleep Shop. The public is invited this weekend for refreshments, food and giveaways. They are located at 3 E. Main St., and will be open Friday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
If you like cards, consider attending the Texas Hold-em Tournament at Russia 6:45 p.m. today at the Community Center.
An open to the public breakfast will be served at Hole Field from 7:30 – 10 a.m. For $6, you can eat outdoors or carry out the pancakes, scrambled eggs and sausage meal.
The Russia Homecoming Picnic is Saturday and Sunday. The picnic begins at 5 p.m. Saturday, when the lunch stand opens and the rides begin at 5:30 p.m. Sunday the lunch stand opens at noon.
Wishing Mildred Dill a very happy 102nd birthday. Birthday wishes to Emmie Smith, Kelli Longfellow, Barbara Monnin, Rylee Johnson, Kyzer Johns, Amber Broerman, Jeanne Johnson, Joan Marshal, Carmen Snyder, Jim Kelch, Karen Friar, Jennifer Mertz, Richard Frantz, Ed Subler, Anne Mangen, Steve Borchers, Emily Mumaw, Shelly Grogean, Jessie Zumberger, Miriam Poling, Doug Koverman, Jenny Condon, Joann Wilker, Kari Didier, Tyler Clack and Mary Ann Winner as their birthdays approach as well as, anniversary wishes to Jennifer and Tony Parin, Jamie and Chad Koesters (8), Joyce and Jeff Rider (18), Jeffie and Scott Voisard, Carla and Gary Hummel (33), Karen and Gary Dues (40), Mary Jo and Jerald Hecht (41), Susan and Phil McEldowney (40), Sherry and Richard Francis (51), Ethel and Carl McEldowney, Irma and Urban Arling (60), Joanne and Joe Marshal (61), and Martha and John Magoto. Retirement wishes to Linda Arling who recently retired from Phelan Insurance Agency.
Healing prayers and get well wishes to Ernie DeMange (bypass surgery), Dave Gibson, Boots Breaden, Robert Longenecker, Karen Coverstone, Rita Wuebker, Terry Black, Bill Pepiot, Yvonne Ridenour, Wayne Pittsenbarger, John Klipstine, Maggie Brewer, Arthur Curtis, Harold Langston, Sr., Jack Munn, Thelma Schultz, Delores Williams, Joe Bailey, James Youngker, Madeline Rickett, Kathy and Tom Hamilton, Andrew Kunk, Kyle Rutschilling, Isabella Yakos, Lisa Coate, Brian Voisard Barb and Jon Agne, Samantha Smith and all those dealing with life’s challenges, as well the hospitalized or homebound in need of our prayers but not mentioned by name.
Sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Elmer Rethman, Rick Haft, Patrick Davidson, Dan Sheets, also remembering the lives of Phyllis Pitsenbarger, Jerry McConaha, Zoe Ann Stephan, Jim Pequignot, Carl Voisard, Roy Minnich, JoAnn Davis, Tess Subler, Gale Blakeley, Anna Subler, Leo Prenger, Karl Brumbaugh and all those not mentioned by name as the anniversary of their recently passing.
“The homemaker has the ultimate career. All other careers exist for one purpose only – and that is to support the ultimate career.” ~C.S. Lewis
“The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home.” ~Confucius
“Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children.” ~Charles R. Swindoll
