Ties That Bind

More about the book

A celebration of the relationships that bring us strength, purpose, and joy, this work honors those who nourish and uplift us. Drawing from a decade of the revolutionary oral history project, it collects conversations that highlight the power of human connection and the moments individuals become family. Across blood relations, friendships, and community ties, enduring connections are formed in the most challenging circumstances. The stories reveal our inherent need to reach out, support, and share both burdens and joys. We meet two brothers, cast out by their parents, who reconnect and build a new family together. An unexpected joy unfolds as a gay woman shares with her granddaughter that she once believed family happiness was unattainable. A life-changing friendship is recounted by an Iraq war veteran, reflecting on his bond with local children and how his relationship with his wife helped him heal from the trauma of loss. Against overwhelming odds, the individuals featured find hope and healing through their connections. Commemorating ten years of the project, these conversations serve as a testament to the transformative power of listening.