Blood Families Vs. Chosen Families

Written by Braiden on November 24, 2011

Inspiring Photo of Carmel, CA for  Five More MInutes With

Happy Thanksgiving! With many of us huddled around the dining-room table or television set with family and friends from afar to celebrate the holidays, here’s a thought-provoking blog post about “real” versus chosen families that’s reposted from last year.

Although I don’t always put a lot of faith in them, I must admit that I read my horoscope every week in Seattle’s two alternative papers, the Seattle Weekly and The Stranger. This week’s Weekly prediction really got me to thinking, because it has such relevance for the Five More Minutes With community.

Here’s the Libran horoscope for May 26-June 2, courtesy of Caeriel Crestin:

Blood family does not trump chosen family unless you decide it does. Wouldn’t you agree that someone’s adoptive father who raised them from infancy to adulthood has more of a claim to the “Dad” title than the guy who originally provided the sperm? The same goes for the people you’ve chosen in your life. They get to keep being in your life, and those bonds can be just as strong and valuable as any of those dictated by genetics—as long as you deem it so. Don’t let the world’s rules be your rules, not when you have the absolute power (at least in this case) to make your own.

Is your blood family your chosen family? If not, have you thought about who your “real” family is?

I urge you to think of the people who are closest to you and mean the most in your life. . .and don’t waste a moment. . .tell them so today!

And for a related story with this theme, don’t miss reading An Allegiance with Al, an adopted daughter’s love letter to her adoptive father.

Announcing our Father’s Day Contest!

Written by Braiden on May 21, 2010

Chukar Cherry Co. Heart of Seattle Gift Basket

Today marks the arrival of our second exciting contest on Five More Minutes With—a Father’s Day contest to find the most inspiring story about Dad!

This year, Father’s Day falls on Sunday, June 20. And what better way to salute Dad and commemorate Father’s Day than to share his story with the Five More Minutes With community and other interested readers?

Those remembrances shared between today and June 19, 2010, will automatically be entered to win a Chukar Cherry Co. Heart of Seattle Basket shipped to your home with enough treats to share with family and friends while you reminisce about dear old Dad.

Chukar products have regularly been featured as the “Snack of the Day” on the “Rachel Ray Show,” and recently received a rave review in The Nibble, the Magazine About Specialty Foods.

The Heart of Seattle Basket offers four fabulous Chukar creations—a Chocolate Cherry Quartet Box, a jar of Vanilla Peach Preserves, Cherry Apple Slices, and Nuts over Bing Energy Mix—all packaged and ready to roll in a handy metal bucket adorned with a jaunty cluster of plastic cherries.

Many thanks to the good folks at Chukar for providing such an exciting and desirable prize for our Father’s Day contest.

Submittal Guidelines:

As always on Five More Minutes With, you are encouraged to explore the site for inspiration, then submit your own story to share.

Answer the question: What would you say if you had Five More Minutes With. . .Dad?

Stories can be of any length. But remember. . .you have just five minutes!

So I suggest keeping your story to anywhere from two to three sentences and up to 250-300 words (one to one-and-one-half double-spaced typed pages).

Photos are most welcome, and will increase your chances of having your story published and winning the prize.

Now put on your thinking caps, pull out your pens or computers, and start writing a tribute to dear old Dad.

Good luck and happy writing  to all!

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