In my family writing is a deeply established tradition to process life's events and emotions, whether it's marriage/birth/death, travel, trauma, illness, or joy. I continued the tradition starting as a teenager in newsletters, newspapers (ah well), later as a dietitian and editor in educational materials, professional articles, books, and finally after retirement family memoirs. It was my privilege to interview my in-laws Dinah & Pedro Zaragoza about their long-ranging, family oriented (5 children), and sometimes difficult lives as Mexican-American immigrants in Chicago and author the book Morales & Zaragoza History: Journeying from Mexico to Chicago. And the culmination was tracing the lives of my Foreign Service parents John & Anne Gatch as they traveled the world serving their country, seeking the stimulation of yet another land, and finally landing in the Middle East. They also grew a family of 5 children. For the book Parallel Lives and Shadows: John & Anne I had 3 generations of family writers to illuminate and enrich the description of their lives. And finally, what are the costs and benefits of changing a homeland or leading a rootless life? Please join me as I write about my deepest passion, seeking human and family connection.