My Other Family

"The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life.
Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof."

From: Illusions by Richard Bach.

I thought of these words when I was introduced to my "other family" a few months ago; my online critique group, Kidcrit on Compuserve. A group of warm, wacky, creative and very supportive writers who gave me the most valuable commodity in this day and age; their time.


One member of this family deserves special mention: Marsha Skrypuch. She has helped launch innumerable careers. Mine was launched with the crook of a finger. More about that another time.

In the corporate world, information is power and no one likes to share. But in this family, sharing is as natural as ants at a picnic, where all the members give freely, of their time, advice and knowledge.


And so this little note is to say thank you to all, especially Marsha. I read someplace (though I cannot find the exact words now) that when you light another's candle, it does not diminish the radiance of your own.


This perfectly embodies the essence of Marsha Skrypuch.


Thank you!