Page 2 - Sonoma County Gazatte May 2017

Dear Readers,
Every May we focus on Family Values because at the center of all we are, all that matters in our community...is FAMILY. As times change and people’s lives change - the very definition of family changes as well. We no longer insist that everyone be blood relatives. What we want is to be loved, respected and feel that we belong. Our family unit becomes our friends as well as our relatives.
Even the definition of RELATIVE has changed as well. Donna married Ron and they produced two children. They broke up and share parenting. Donna meets David and he falls in love with her kids. They get married and create a third child, and David takes on fathering Donna’s two boys. Ron falls in love with Diane and they are content sharing the boys among all parents. This is spectacular, especially for the kids.
OK, some people don’t get along and get jealous and play mind games with each other. That’s part of the family dynamic. BUT - if EVERYONE were to consider the CHILDREN as their TOP PRIORITY - none of the nasty games would happen and all the kids get a BIGGER FAMILY! If you’re lucky - that’s your story - like the family on our cover. Dreams can come true and kids can benefit by a kind and loving family.
I‘m a lucky girl...I have a wonderful, loving husband who has become father to my daughter and grandfather to children to whom he has no blood relation connection. My daughter’s husband took on her daughter from a previous marriage. She’s HIS daughter now and she has a Daddy who loves her. She now has a sister and she does NOT call her a half-sister. She’s Sissy!
And once again - our family is US - and every ONE in our community...that includes the people on the committee we share, the folks who attend our church...the people in line at the grocery store - BECAUSE - we are ALL in this TOGETHER!
Cover Photos: Family portrait of the Rogalski family. Eric and Tina with their two boys Jared (11) and Cayden (9), and daughter Annabelle arriving soon. Banner image Kortum Trail at Goat Rock State Beach.
Photo Credit: ©Naturally Sonoma Photography, by Aleta Parseghian. Landscape and portrait photographer. Portfolio available on Instagram @ naturally_sonoma_photography. All photography available for purchase in large print. For portrait photoshoot pricing and availability, email aletaparseghian@sonic.net or call 707-687-8419.
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