“Some people, though related by blood, are as sworn enemies. Others, bound only by friendship, would die for one another.”
~ Beem Weeks
Author, Beem Weeks writes short stories and novels and is an ‘Indie’ – an independent, self-published writer. He serves close to 400 members of the international literary community, Rave Reviews Book Club, as a member of the Governing Board. Most importantly, he is a deep thinker and generous to a fault. His published works include Jazz Baby and Slivers of Life.
This quote by Weeks, speaks of two kinds of family: those related by blood, and those bonded by friendship. When I was a kid growing up, I don’t recall people referring to close friends as family. I do recollect the words ‘brother,’ and ‘sister’ used to describe a best friend. Today, it is very common to have people who belong to close-knit groups or associations refer to themselves as ‘family.’ What do we mean when we use the word family?
We are all aware that the family unit in western countries has transformed enormously over the last fifty years. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s family pictured above is the traditional model of mother, father, and children. Today we have single-parent families, families with same-sex spouses, grandparents raising their grandchildren, and blended families where divorced parents remarry and begin new families in combination with their existing children from the previous marriage. Although the family has diversified into several models, it is still characterized by blood relationships for the most part.
I am saddened to know that there are so many dysfunctional families today. This fact is at the root of Weeks’ opening statement, “Some people, though related by blood, are as sworn enemies.” How many people regularly stay in touch with their siblings and their families? How many of those that do, are close friends as well? There are many reasons why dysfunction exists among families today, but this fact underlies the reason why people become emotionally attached to groups with whom they share important things.
Author, Joy Nwosu Lo-Bamijoko, put it beautifully when she spoke about Rave Reviews Book Club,
“It is a different kind of family built on something even more solid. Here we are not bonded by blood, but by a similar spirit, the spirit of the word. This is why it is a stronger bond than the blood bond. Blood is so pedantic, so earthly, and so material. While the spirit is so liberating and almost everlasting.”
I have belonged to this club for over two years, and the fascinating thing is that we consider ourselves as a virtual family. We have not met in person, and all of our sharing and interactions take place online. As Lo-Bamijoko put it, we are bonded by a spirit, and since we are a literary community, it is the spirit of the word. As I read her words, they spoke to my heart, and I recognized them as my truth also.
Rave Reviews Book Club, the brainchild of Author, Nonnie Jules, is a body of people – mostly authors – who do not operate as rivals. We have embraced the philosophy of our foundress that all celebrate the success of one and that all band together in solidarity to support the one. This solidarity is the spirit of the word spoken about earlier. Because we promote the work of others, we liberate ourselves from the shackles of selfishness and jealousy at the success of another.
Weeks asserts that there are times when friends would die for one another. His words emphasize the fact that in a family bonded by an indomitable spirit, loyalty plays a prominent part. Even if few of us ever make it to great success in fame or fortune, we are all wealthier for the bond of this international literary family that we lovingly call Rave Reviews Book Club!
Fiora Books by John Fioravanti 
Great job! Aren’t you becoming MR. INSPIRATIONAL for all!
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Thanks, Nonnie, I hope I can spread a little inspiration around!
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Beautiful words, John! And so very true. I adore my RRBC family and couldn’t imagine a better way to spend a good portion of my time. The bond we have is truly incredible and I thank God daily for the blessing and joy I find in RRBC. 🙂 Thank you, John!
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Thanks for stopping by with this great endorsement of the club, Marlena!
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I could not have expressed this sentiment better had I tried. Beautiful post, John, and you are so right! RRBC is truly a family, and I feel blessed to be a part of it. 🙂
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Thanks, Yvette, so happy you stopped by on this very special family day!
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You are indeed my brother, John! I am truly moved by this piece. You, sir, are a gifted writer with a talent for touching the soul. God bless you.
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On this special day of American Thanksgiving I give thanks for your friendship and inspiration, Beem! I thank you for your kind words and your unflagging support – both personally and professionally!
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Grateful to be part of the fabulous #RRBC family and wishing everyone the Happiest of Holidays and abundant blessings every day! 🙂
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Thanks for stopping by today, Bette! Holiday blessing to you as well!
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Wonderful post, John. Thanks for putting it together and sharing.
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Thank you, John, I wanted to share the good feelings we have in our RRBC family.
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I can understand that, John
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P.S. So looking forward to your new book re “Reflections”.
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Thanks, Rick – It’ll be out December 1st!
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Brother John; So happy to have you & your wife Anne as part of my extended family made possible by my relationship with the Most Blessed Francis. Have a Happy USA Thanksgiving. All the best for a Healthy & Happy Holiday Season to all & to all a good night. Brother Richard
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Thank you so much for stopping by, Brother Rick! We’re happy to have you guys in our extended family too! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
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Very well said Beem. He couldn’t have said it better, John. That is what I was hinting at. Thank you so much for sharing, and for spreading this thoughts further.
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us as well, Joy!
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Beautifully written and so very true, John. Thanks so much for sharing this with us. 🙂
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Thank you, Natalie – I appreciate your support in our virtual family!
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What a wonderful post, John. And so timely with Thanksgiving tomorrow or those of us in the U.S. It is a time of family and fellowship and of giving thanks for all we hold dear. I love the spirit of community and family in RRBC!
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Thanks, Mae! Although we Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving on the second Monday in October each year, we are only too aware of your Thanksgiving celebrations happening this week. Also, US Thanksgiving holds a special significance for me. It was on that day in 1970 that I left the seminary and my studies to become a Roman Catholic priest. My focus changed and I turned to a career in teaching. I left my seminary family that day – it was very hard. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us!
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Many thanks for sharing too, John 🙂
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Love your blog today about family.
Think you could expand on it too .
Family defined today is very different from when we grew up. It means so much more.
Broken families are all round us but they do emerge sometimes even stronger .
Anne
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Thanks, dear, I agree – the reality of family is very complex and not easily lived. Thanks for sharing your insights today!
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Hear! Hear! Sharing all over… 😀
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Thanks, Jan – I appreciate that!
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Beautifully expressed, John, and so true. Thank you for sharing this with us today.
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Thanks, Gwen – my RRBC family inspired me! So thank you all for the inspiration!
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