Modern Holiday for the Modern Family

Family is family

Whether it’s the one you started out with
The one you ended up with or
The family you gain along the way…
- “Gloria”  Played by Sofia Vergara*
modern family on abc / USA

I watch TV online to catch up on episodes of my favorite shows.  One of my favorite shows is modern family because it speaks to an ever growing trend in our nation: the blended family.  I can relate with the subject matter because of my experience growing up in foster care along with my brother, JP.  and living with two different families (get Validation Denied, Grace Bestowed:somewhere between the ghetto and God was something called foster care…, iUniverse.com). We were lucky to stop at just two families…many foster children switch families more than 5 times!

What I learned over the years teaching, counseling or chaperoning young people is to accept (I even embrace) the trend, need and beauty of the blended family – folks who say “yes” to giving a child, other than their own, a chance at a better life; a chance to experience and express love.

For me, modern family is a celebration of love and today’s blended family.  Let’s be real here: children really don’t care who takes care of  them.  They don’t care about our skin tone, religion, sexual preference, hair texture (no really, too many of us spas out over this topic!), educational background, family background, status, and so on. As long as the person or family can provide the basics and a nurturing environment, children are happy campers.  And I truly wish that YOU are, too. 

Family IS Family

whether it’s the one you started out with
the one you ended up with or
the one you gain along the way

 Teen Task

1. Give yourself a chance. 2. Give thanks to those who say “yes” to dedicating their time, energy and life to your well-being….give thanks to those who accepted you with open arms….give thanks to those who love you…..even give thanks to the hatuhz, because they fuel our drive to excel beyond (their) wildest dreams! ™  3. Discuss this blog with your parents or with those you feel safe sharing your thoughts.

Fun Fact
modern family won 11 Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Comedy Series two years in a row.
Sofia Vergara - In 2001 she created "Peace and Hope for the Children of Colombia," a charity foundation that has helped thousands of children in her country and has donated a pediatric cancer pavilion in her native Barranquilla.  In 2002 Vergara was awarded the Women of Hope Award by the City of Hope Organization as one of the outstanding role models for future generations. In 2007 she was named one of The 25 Most Powerful Hispanic Women in the Entertainment Industry by The Hollywood Reporter and Billboard.  Most recently Vergara has appeared in Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns and Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail for Lionsgate, and on ABC's Dirty Sexy Money. Before that she played the sexy Colombian actress who stirred things up on Entourage, starred in Amas de Casa Desesperadas, the Latin-tailored version of Desperate Housewives, and in the FOX comedy feature Chasing Papi.

Thanks for reading.  Happy New Year!    ~ Quelyn

Copyright©2011 Quelyn Purdie