Effects of Family

Effects of Family Life 

The single greatest traumatic event in Joseph’s life was losing his parent’s at the age of five. (Joseph was an only child.) Later he learned from his grandparents, who adopted him that his parents died in a car accident while driving home during a winter storm. Ambition caused their death the grandparents agreed. While his grandparents showed little interest in Joseph’s dreams, they were kind and they cared for him. While still very young, Joseph enjoyed listening to his grandparents’ success stories of farming and struggling to put food on the table. From them he learned that one could be content with a farming life.  

Joseph had five uncles. Four of them lived a wild, drinking life style and earned his devout Christian grandparent’s disapproval. Alcohol rarely touched Joseph’s lips. The fifth and oldest uncle, Mike, who’d moved out on his own, closely followed his parent’s example. Alone he successfully farmed and participated in the local conservative church. In Mike Joseph found a like-minded companion.

Up until the time Joseph sees Jill in Baggage burdens. he has given up finding a wife. The close-knit church shielded their daughters from him. Loneliness intensified after Uncle Mike died. Jill’s interest in him gave rebirth to having a lifetime companion and a large family. Being an only child convinced him not to subject another child to that torment.

Daniel’s interest in carpentry began with hearing members of the church praise his father for the projects he built. Honing his skills Daniel soon received recognition for his efforts. Like his father Daniel soon developed an appreciation for the approval of the people at his church.

The creative gene thrives in Jill and Amber, her eldest daughter. Frank’s destruction of Jill’s drama project nipped her creative spirit before it could develop. Later Jill joined the Creative Arts Society of Brampton at the Brick Theatre. Her love of drama died after she heard that her grandmother was bringing Dave, a want-to-be boyfriend, to see her. When Jill moves back into Camrose, she resurrects her drama activity. Amber’s creative spirit appears early when she makes invitation cards for her father’s birthday party. Under Jill’s encouragement Amber develops a love for painting and makes it a major focus when she goes to university.