Excerpts from the Life of an American Family

I will always remember August 1, 2009 for the unprecedented number of people officially welcomed into our extended family all in less than five hours. My newest cousin chose this auspicious day to be born, giving her mother and grandmother the best of all possible reasons to not attend another happy event.

My sister and the love of her life finally got married. When I found out they were going to Egypt for their honeymoon, it brought to mind many discussions I’d had about what marriage is. Sure, marriage is a piece of paper, but this piece of paper is empirical and legal proof of the promises made in the presence of witnesses. It also serves not just as proof of the joining of individuals, but of families too.

The ancient Egyptians also recognized the power of putting things into writing, attributing to writing the power to take only an idea and make it reality. The word even of a Pharaoh, a purported living god with absolute authority over his or her people, was not law unless it was written. So Yul Brynner was given that classic line in The Ten Commandments for a reason.

My sister and her husband- another great brother-in-law for me, another terrific uncle for my kids- finally got around to putting their lifelong commitment to each other in writing. Witnesses also attested to it in writing. “So it is written, so shall it be done.”