Outskirts Press, INC.

Who in America has not heard about our society’s self-proclaimed focus on the importance of family life? Recall the multiple phrases and slogans that proliferate in our telecommunications and radio media over the last two decades: “Family Values”, “Reclaiming the American Family”, Family Rescue Plan” and many, many others. From politicians, to standup comedians, to television situation comedies, to religious televangelist religious personalities to think-tank academies—the emphasis on family is virtually ubiquitous in our culture. And yet, since no two families are alike, it would behoove us to at least examine the genuine meaning of family—what IS family? How does a family set about developing healthy relationships among its members? How does a family arrive at a positive, productive vision that is members can “buy into”, and that is sustainable across its generations? Surely, these questions are worth our consideration if we are truly serious about building healthy family units in our culture. Open the pages of this book and meet the Porter family! From the imaginative genius of Charlene Ashford, you will enter into a wildly hilarious matrix of family life that gently nudges the reader to probe the questions asked above. Situated in a small Southern town in the U.S., the Porter family is continuously faced with the crises of collective human life—death, sickness, loss, grief, guilt, unforgiveness, misunderstanding, personal animosity—which every family must eventually face. The issue is HOW does the family face these dilemmas? What resources does it draw upon to help it navigate these tortuous problems? Allow yourself to be introduced to the unforgettable characters of the Porter family—the irrepressible Aunt Janie; the disingenuous and easily-swayed Edward; the explosive narcissist Theo—and many others. You are sure to come away with a humorous and uniquely profound analysis of family life that does not shy away from the hard challenges—the twists and turns—of sibling divisiveness, long-held grievances, personal dislikes, and lack of love. In the end, you will meet the “heart answers” which lead to redemption for all the Porters—and perhaps for yourself as well.