The Importance of Family
- Cynthia Brian
- 5 hours ago
- 6 min read
MIRACLE MOMENT®
“No matter what you’ve done for yourself or for humanity, if you can’t look back on having given love and attention to your own family, what have you really accomplished?” Lee Iacocca, Retired Automobile Executive
A MESSAGE from Founder/Director, CYNTHIA BRIAN
Because my parents loved each other and my four siblings deeply and unconditionally, I was one of the luckiest children in the world. We were raised on a farm, surrounded by land, animals, and a gigantic number of fabulous relatives with whom we constantly celebrated living. Our values revolved around loyalty to family and friends, responsibility, integrity, and hard work. We had few possessions and even less money, yet our simple life, filled with nature and love, provided the greatest childhood I can even imagine. Today, when cousins get together, we always commemorate our shared gratitude for the incredibly enriching upbringing we experienced.
Family is about commitment. It doesn’t matter whether family is defined by biology, adoption, or choice; family means taking care of one another in good and bad times. Family is home. Family is where we can be our unapologetically authentic selves. Family is our haven, our lighthouse, our school, and our playground.
If you didn’t grow up with a loving family, it is never too late to create a chosen family to share, care, and be fair together. No matter the heights you reach in life, having a family that truly loves you will always be the most critical factor in your personal and emotional success.
I am often asked what my greatest achievement in life has been. That’s an easy one to answer: being a mom.
Here’s to all the magnificent mothers, fathers, caregivers, and those who help children grow into productive, loving adults. You are making a difference in our world. Keep paying it forward.
Family matters.
With love and admiration,
Cynthia Brian
Founder/Executive Director
Be the Star You Are!®
PO Box 376
Moraga, California 94556
DONATE: https://givebutter.com/BTSYA
FAMILY FOREVER
If you are looking for a book to explain family, whether biological, adopted, or chosen, check out the children’s picture book, Family Forever, the 2nd book in the series, Stella Bella’s Barnyard Adventures. The book chronicles an orphaned newborn squirrel rescued by Stella Bella, who becomes best friends with a Chihuahua and chooses a tribe of chickens, ducks, rabbits, geese, and pigs as his family. Family Forever is available for purchase as a donation to Be the Star You Are!®. Click on the Online Store.
FAMILY IMPORTANCE
Gowri Kamatchi.
Family is the feeling of coming home after a long day and knowing someone is happy to see you. It’s the late-night talks, the inside jokes no one else understands, and the small moments that slowly become lifelong memories.
Life gets busy, but family reminds us what truly matters. Whether it’s sharing meals, celebrating little wins, or simply sitting together in silence, those moments create comfort and connection. Even during hard times, family gives people strength, support, and a place where they can be themselves. The love shared within a family often becomes the foundation for happiness, confidence, and lasting memories.
At the heart of every strong family is love, patience, and being there for one another. The time spent together may seem ordinary now, but those are often the moments remembered most.
Gowri Kamatchi is a 16-year-old high school junior and a content creator volunteer with Be the Star You Are!® She has a deep interest in global issues, journalism, climate policies, and paleontology. Her hobbies are reading, listening to music, and rollerblading!
CREATING A FAMILY
by Karen Kitchell
When I learned that I could not give birth to a child, I was forced to think about what a family is really all about. Not everyone needs to be “approved” before becoming a parent, but I discovered that was part of the world of adoption.
My hope turned to reality the day my son arrived at the Minneapolis airport from South Korea. The social worker said that she had never seen a happier mother. More than forty years later, he still brings me immense joy.
Three years after his arrival, I began to search for a daughter to complete our little family. That process involved an agency in Mexico that abruptly closed, and an “almost-daughter” in Honduras who was mistakenly placed with another family.
Being a believer in what is meant to be, I found that Paraguay was where my baby Maria was born. Bringing her home meant spending two weeks in a hotel that had never hosted a baby. Yet, when the knock finally came on my hotel door to announce her arrival, it was the most beautiful sound I had ever heard.
Many people struggle to build their families in many ways. But in the end, it is simply the love we have to share that defines family.
Karen Kitchel is the Kindness Coordinator volunteer with BTSYA. She purchased the book No Barnyard Bullies as a gift for every kindergarten student at the school where she volunteers as a teacher. www.scatteringkindness.com You can read more about Karen’s adoption story in the book Be the Star You Are! Millennials To Boomers. https://www.bethestaryouare.org/book-gift
EARTH DAY SUCCESS
In April, Be the Star You Are!® volunteers celebrated Earth Day. Thanks to 5 A Rent-a-Space for sponsoring this event, where nature ruled! Take care of our planet and our planet will nourish you!
MEMORIAL DAY REMEMBRANCE
On Memorial Day, we reflect and honor those who have served our nation with the ultimate sacrifice. Originally called Decoration Day, Memorial Day started after the Civil War when communities decorated the fallen soldiers’ graves with flowers. As we remember our deceased heroes, veterans remind us to fly our flags at half-staff from sunrise until noon, then raise the flag to full staff for the rest of the day.
"Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices. Because of these sacrifices, the dawn of justice and freedom throughout the world slowly casts its gleam across the horizon." President Harry S. Truman
Sending love and gratitude to every family who has lost a loved one in service to our United States of America. We remember.
BE THE STAR YOU ARE! HONORED AS A 2026 TOP NONPROFIT and PLATINUM AT CANDID
Congratulations to everyone at Be the Star You Are!® for being once again named a TOP NONPROFIT by Great Nonprofits and Candid (Formerly Guidestar). Be the Star You Are!® is 100% volunteer operated.
GREAT NON PROFITS REVIEWS: https://greatnonprofits.org/org/be-the-star-you-are-inc
OUR RADIO BROADCASTS INSPIRE AND COMMUNICATE
Every week, under the auspices of Be the Star You Are!® charity and produced by StarStyle® Productions, LLC, listeners are encouraged and inspired on our two international radio broadcasts, StarStyle®-Be the Star You Are!® and Express Yourself!™ Teen Radio. StarStyle® is a lifestyle program bringing information and innovative ideas that will help with daily living, while Express Yourself!™ is hosted by teens, for teens, with discussions about everything and anything that interests youth today. Both programs are unedited, uncensored, and unapologetically authentic.
Listen to all Express Yourself!™ Teen shows at https://sites.libsyn.com/560220
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BOOKS AND MERCH
Books: A great way to support Be the Star You Are!® and give a gift that continues to give is to buy books as a donation through our portal. Check out our Book Package: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/book-gift
Merch: Find well-made clothing and hats with the Be the Star You Are!® logo at https://www.bonfire.com/store/be-the-star-you-are-merch/ . Numerous colors and styles are appropriate for all ages. A percentage of the proceeds benefits Be the Star You Are!®.
ABOUT BE THE STAR YOU ARE!®
Be the Star You Are!® is an all-volunteer organization that operates through contributions, in-kind donations, and proceeds from fundraising events. Be the Star You Are!® does not receive state or federal funding and is solely dependent on contributions from the community and corporations. Be the Star You Are!® is consistently honored as a TOP NON-PROFIT by Guidestar and Great Non-Profits.
Be the Star You Are!® supports all ethnicities and has no religious or political agendas or affiliations. Be the Star You Are!® is proud to have been serving the community, country, and world since 1999.
DONATE: https://givebutter.com/BTSYA
“Even if you have failed at all else in the eyes of the world, if you have a loving family, you are a success.” Og Mandino, 1923-1996, Author and Speaker
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