ABSTRACT
A sense of humour, lots of hugs and cuddles and a close, open relationship has many a time been the envy of some genetically created families. We are bound by love, not by genes. There is a powerful force in love alone that no gene pool could ever fulfil. We live in a world where nuclear, hetero-patriarchal ‘Happy Families’ are no longer the default. Their structure no longer serves our need for connection, generosity of spirit or individual expression. There are as many ways to be a family as there are ways to express love. It is time that families deliberately formed through choice and creative re-definition are documented, acknowledged and celebrated. Describing what makes our family alternative is difficult though, because this is our normal. We are a mixed rainbow family of four who have come together not by genetics but by love. Mom – Lynn, Dad – lain, Demi – 13 and Riley –6.
