Hands off

 I have always been fascinated with the concept of 'family'.  Everyone has one of at least some decription.  In some instances, the family is a tight organization, binding members closely to one another to hearth, home, and ancestry.  In other cases, the organization is loose or even non-existant, allowing members to fly on their own without attachments.  Often, members stay close physically, aware of the benefits of protection and support.  In others, individual memberfs go free, sometimes with a feeling of escape, to soar and start their own, or to crash and burn.  As a parent, I wanted my children to grow up unshackled and confident to face their world, but knowing they were supported in their life, wherever it led.    In today's 21st century framework we find a very different style than in times past.  So very many of the young people are returning to their home hearth, or never even leave.  Many people say that that action, or lack of, delays the maturing into adulthood; Im not sure.  I do know that there is a great lack of the concept of honor in our country.    In Hands Off, a young man leaves his home, knowing full well that he will never see his parents again.  He travels 'west' gaining experiences and meeting families as he moves to his final settling place in what will eventually become Montana.  Other characters in the story merely brush their families; secret, unknown and painful.     In the end, Hans does not escape the reaches of his family.  Others in the story only know the agony of denial and loss.  There is the story of Hans, of MeLi, of M. Dadier, of the General, of Rufus, of Ben, and others who grow to be men of honor in a world not too much different than ours, really.  No matter where or when, life is a matter of choice and attitude.