Most Americans have grown in a "nuclear family"-- Mom, Dad and kids. My childhood was a bit different. My maternal grandparents, immigrants from Romania and Austria worked as tailors. Their dream was to have their own business after coming to Ellis Island in New York. They purchased a small multi-family building in the village of Hastings-on-Hudson, New York and opened their business. Their tailor shop were in the small store front and the four apartments were soon populated by sisters, brothers, Aunts, Uncles, cousins....
It was in this busy, hectic and nurturing environment that I was born and grew up. My grandparents, my great Aunts, great Uncles, cousins... were all part of my daily life. Our elders were our sages, our wise women and men. Growing up in this world I was destined to have a career working to help elderly folks and their families. For 30 years now I have been a social worker specialized in case/care manager - I love my work.