Just back from a quick trip to Michigan's upper penninsula and am awaiting the arrival of my sister-in-law and her husband from France today. It's been a few days of mini family reunions and that has made me a bit nostalgic and happy that I actually like my family.

We all know family relations are challenging and our friendships sometimes are closer and more important. I have seen really tight families and others who barely speak. I see people repeating the same mistakes and traumas they have always lived with and think there must be some comfort in the familiar, no matter how disturbing that may be.

The summer is usually the time for weddings, graduation parties and reunions. Have you had any lately? How were they? Do you have coping skills or advice for those who dread these events, yet attend them anyway? How much has family affected your outlook, career, personality? What about the "orphan fantasy" we see in literature and film? Should we all raise ourselves, with some Annie- plucky spirit?