Family

           The word family could have many different definitions depending on the person you ask. But, for me family is generations of related people that are always there for you in time of need. What many need to understand is you don’t have to be related by blood to be family you can be related by heart. Family is a term that means a lot to me because my family are the people I choose to surround myself with that love me for me. My family has always been there for me and I will always be there for them.

            In my life, the essay Stone Soup by Barbara Kingsolver, and the novel A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith family and the meaning of family is present. For example in the essay Stone Soup the writer tells the cold hard truth about families today. The author says, “The sooner we can let go the fairy tale of families functioning perfectly in isolation, the better we might embrace the relief of community.” Behind this quote is a very strong explanation. The writer is trying to tell us that families are not perfect and we need to stop thinking that you don’t ever need help from someone else. So we need to realize that sometimes even the most admirable parents need help from other people such as family and friends. When a family member needs help with raising a child or needing a home that's what family is there for to help and support one another. This quote also relates to my life because my family has gone through some tough times but helping one another and sticking together is what has made us stronger. Such as, when my grandparents passed away it was a hard time for all of us but, we were there for one another to offer comfort and love. Not only was my family there but, friends were too to give a helping hand with anything my family or I need in that sad time.

Also in the essay Stone Soup Barbara Kingsolver writes, “To judge a family’s value by its tidy symmetry is to purchase a book for its cover.” This quote really caught my eye and intrigued me because it means so much. When I read this quote I couldn’t just read it once but, had to read it multiple times. The point the author is trying to put across is don’t judge a family by the way the dress or where they live or even how much money they have. What shows on the outside is most likely not what is on the inside. For example someone could be really poor and be a very sweet, loving, compassionate person but you wouldn’t know that if you judged them by the clothes on their back or the roof they have over their head. This same type of theme is evident in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn because even though the Nolans don’t have the nicest clothes or enough money to go to the candy store every day or for Francie to have a different bow for everyday of the week the Nolans have respect, loyalty, and most importantly they know how to love. In the novel A Tree Grows in Brooklyn the author also refers to not judging a family by the way they look when Katie compares her children to the McGarrity children. Katie says, “But her children are not as good or smart as my children. They are mean and greedy towards others because they have things to taunt poor children with.”(Smith 206). This quote by Smith also shows that what is present on the outside of people or families is not the same as what is deep within their hearts. Katie says that the McGarity children are not very nice children and just because they have money and nice things doesn’t mean what is inside is the same. So before you judge someone look deep within their hearts and see what they are actually made of and not what money has made them.

Why is the Nolan family so loving and supportive? Well I believe that once Johnny died Katie realized that she has to roles to play as mother and father to her children. Katie thought life would be easier without Johnny but both Katie and the kids got used to the feeling of a complete family and, even though Johnny had a difficult time with supporting and being there for his family he still loved and cared for them. A quote that Betty Smith wrote that touched my heart was about Johnny and the line read, “She picked up the flowers- two dozen far red roses on a sheaf of ferns. She looked at the owner's name on the card but her own name was on the card. The card said: For Francie on graduation day. Love Papa" (Smith 351). This is a very emotional time for Francie because Johnny is gone but, he thought ahead to make sure that Francie knew that she got recognition for her hard work. This quote adds on to the compassion that family members have for one another.

         In conclusion no matter what life throws at you, you’ll always have your family there to support and love you unconditionally.