Last week I attended the Macdonald (my maiden name) family reunion that my brother hosted. We traveled from all over the United States and ranged in age from 5-ish to 70-ish. It was really something seeing three generations who are all descended from the same individual. It got me to thinking about family. Besides a common bloodline, what makes us family?
When I travel to Liberia, I see numerous individuals I call brother and sister. We are not related by blood, but we are family, nonetheless. We share meals, work together, worship together, relax together, and share news about our loved ones. Although we are able to keep in touch by email and Facebook, we hug joyfully when we are reunited.
My fellow board members and the Dignity Advocate teams that travel to Liberia also feel like family. I looked up the definition of family. According to Webster’s Dictionary, one of the definitions for family is “a group of people united by certain convictions.”
I think that makes those of you reading this blog part of my extended family as well. We are not descended from the same individual, but we are united by the same cause: the desire to see an end to obstetric fistula in Liberia. With your continued help we are taking giant strides toward that goal. The first step is to build a maternity waiting home. House of Hope and Dignity and its kitchen will soon be operational. We can be proud of this family project!
To make a first-time or additional gift to Dignity:Liberia, click on this link. Thank you.
When I travel to Liberia, I see numerous individuals I call brother and sister. We are not related by blood, but we are family, nonetheless. We share meals, work together, worship together, relax together, and share news about our loved ones. Although we are able to keep in touch by email and Facebook, we hug joyfully when we are reunited.
My fellow board members and the Dignity Advocate teams that travel to Liberia also feel like family. I looked up the definition of family. According to Webster’s Dictionary, one of the definitions for family is “a group of people united by certain convictions.”
I think that makes those of you reading this blog part of my extended family as well. We are not descended from the same individual, but we are united by the same cause: the desire to see an end to obstetric fistula in Liberia. With your continued help we are taking giant strides toward that goal. The first step is to build a maternity waiting home. House of Hope and Dignity and its kitchen will soon be operational. We can be proud of this family project!
To make a first-time or additional gift to Dignity:Liberia, click on this link. Thank you.
PICTURES OF MY EXTENDED FAMILY
Kathy Beth Stavinoha
Kathy Beth recently retired from St. Edward’s University after 21+ years of service. She lives in Brenham, TX with her husband and cat. She graduated from high school in Monrovia, Liberia in 1977.
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