Families are like scissors. They are joined in the middle but often spread wide apart, moving away from each other.

When we're not feeling close to other family members -- when it's hard even to like them -- it seems as though we'll never come together again. 

But pity the scrap of paper that comes between our scissor blades!

The scissors works together again and slices the trouble clean.

When trouble threatens our family, we can slice through it if we move together in love and acceptance. 

No matter our small differences, we are part of the same living organism, in a way.

The family we live in has been together for many generations, and we are just the most recent members. 

When we look at one another, we see the products of centuries of love.

One woman took up looking at the pictures in her mind.

At last she found one for her family, after considering ordinary pictures like a garden, a team, and a zoo.

When her family is happy and thriving, she sees it as a mud pot in Yellowstone Park.

Each person is energetic and relaxed.

Each is free to bubble up ideas and feelings and projects, free to spout off, gurgle, and pop!

Yet the family is together, sharing one old mud hole, warm and cozy, surrounded by beautiful pine trees.