LETTER: Start celebrating Family Month

A year ago I stumbled upon something that led me to research whether the U.S. had a national family month. In 1998, Congress fell short of a resolution, merely acknowledging Family Month as between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.

This got me thinking how unifying a Family Month would be in these divisive times. It would help us acknowledge we’re all just human beings who are all born and all die. Embracing the story of our existence endows us with unique purpose.

New Mexico is unique in the way it treasures family and family heritage. How can you not when your family tree was planted 500 or even 2,000 years ago? In New Mexico, I’ve met many who care for aging parents and feel honor-bound to do so. The crosses at the site of a road death show where the soul of a loved one left the earth and will be memorialized forever by the family.

How wonderful if New Mexico were to adopt its own Family Month and use it as an opportunity to strengthen what it does best. I’ve created www.familymonthproject.com, which explains the vision behind Family Month, and includes ideas to celebrate and, if needed, ways to heal.

Between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day this year, celebrate your family, yourself and your own family story. Get in touch with distant or aging family and learn their story before they slip away. Give the kiddos a chuckle with fading photos or scratchy videos that show off your dated hair and clothes. Create new memories with a picnic or movie night. You’ll feel grounded and satisfied after doing so. Sharing where you’ve been, you’ll see more clearly where you want to go.

Anne Doherty

Santa Fe