As the holiday season approaches, the excitement of the extended family arriving begins to tickle even the most callous nerves. That wacky aunt or jester uncle assuredly makes a presence at home. Sometimes we laugh, mostly we tend to argue, but the love that is shared between families is untouchable. The love we foster, whether we like it or not, is an ancestral bond that makes the feeling of the holidays seem even more important.

When speaking of the word “family,” the imagination presumably pictures a nuclear (mother, father and children) family home. Such is not the case for many whose definition includes a larger and sometimes more unusual meaning. The extended family has quickly made a comeback here in America. Families like that of Amie Phillips have included close family members like her mother and stepfather to reside in their home. Having her mother move in has been a big help; “the more the merrier,” said Phillips as she plans for her Thanksgiving dinner for six.

Amie lives with her husband and two children—and now her recently remarried mother and stepfather. Living with her parents has certainly had its perks, like free babysitting for her 9- and 11-year-old children. There is also the comfort of having close family around all the time and the light financial help. However, the loss of privacy and slight increase of bills can be considered a compromising setback.

The family conglomerate is not an unusual one nowadays. The ebbing flow of single parent homes and non-traditional families is being looked upon as normal. “For me this is traditional, I don’t see it any different,” Phillips said. Having been raised by her parents, she is honored to return the favor.

The word “family” may have a changing definition, but with a common theme, love. We have come a long way since the 1950s stereotype of family. We are diverse by nature and culture, and the actions we take in making a family have become less congruent to the past norm. It is “very common for people up north to live with parents and extended family,” Phillips said. Though we once found comfort with mother and father, it is not uncommon to find someone closer to share feelings with. Much like the phrase, “home is where you make it,” family too is wherever you choose to settle down and take into your home.

There are many things that make family special, and Amie Phillips’ situation has been testimony to that. Sincerity during this time of year goes a long way, and bringing those close to you should be considered the best kind of family. So when Thanksgiving dinner arrives, sit with the ones you love most and settle by the fireside to reminisce about what makes your family special.

Wheatley Stefan is an intern at the New River Voice.