First off, thank you, my followers, for your patience as my broken arm heals. I’ve regained full mobility in my elbow and wrist which is a great improvement. However, there is nerve damage in my left hand, and right now, I cannot feel anything in my index finger and part of my palm. As I’m left-handed, this makes writing and typing a bit more challenging. As you can imagine, this has put me a bit behind regarding posts. So, here is the blog post I had planned to share back in March.
On February 27, I became the luckiest person in the world. My wonderful, amazing, nonbinary kiddo, Thing 1, got married. They found a true match for themself, and Doug and I couldn’t be happier. Every time I get to say “daughter-in-law”, my heart jumps and I let off a squeal of delight. As with my two kids, I will not be using my DIL’s actual name, but refer to her as “Sally” – continuing with my Cat in the Hat motif. The wedding was held in Canada (where Sally lives). Thing 1 plans to emigrate to Canada and the two of them will live there. Doug and I attended the wedding via Zoom (plane tickets were unbelievably expensive). It was a small ceremony with a Canadian Marriage Commissioner and a couple of witnesses. Watching my firstborn pledge themself to their true love was so beautiful. I was both grinning and crying at the same time – yes, you can do that. I’m so proud of the adult Thing 1 has become, and seeing them take this next step in their life was breathtaking. Our family has grown in a wonderful way, and Thing 1 and Sally are starting their own unique family together.
In keeping with these feelings of love and family, I want to share a new picture book I found. Love Without Bounds: An IntersectionAllies Book about Families by Drs. Chelsea Johnson, LaToya Council, and Carolyn Choi and illustrated by Ashley Seil Smith is published by Dottir Press.
As the Letter to Readers at the beginning says, this book “celebrates the people we love and who love us.” The authors use a bouncy, rhyming text to present all types of families – big, small, straight, gay, black, brown, white, etc. The story includes families with adoption, families separated by military deployment or incarceration, interracial families, interfaith families, divorced families, and the families we choose when our given families can’t give us what we need.
“So, what does family really mean?
They’re the people who love us and make us feel seen.The folks who give us time and care
by sharing with us and just being there.A shoulder to lean on, a space to be free –
whoever gives us that is our family.”
Smith’s collage-style illustrations present a smorgasbord of colors to go with all these different, beautiful families shown. I particularly love how the drawings are done in a minimalistic style. All colors, ethnicities, races, and abilities are presented, adding to the universality of the words “love” and “family”.
A discussion guide and bibliography at the back of the book makes a great jumping off point for continued learning between child and reader.
A terrific addition to any family library. I will be sure to give a copy to Thing 1 and Sally when they have children. As we approach Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and Pride Month, I wish you, and whatever form your family takes, nothing but love.
Marti Johns 