Like I said, I've seen it work in my extended family, but when the matriarch of that nucleus died, everything went to heck. They knew how to close ranks when it was needed, they supported each other in whatever. Not even extended family could get in after the ranks were closed.

I caught a small glimpse of it on July 4th, when a member of the family didn't understand the importance of the "family reunion." My oldest son closed the ranks for us. I'm not sure that the aftermath is worth it, though, because he and I are the only ones that think and feel that way. Doesn't work too good when the family consists of two parents, four siblings two in-laws and nine grandkids. There's always fallout. Betrayal! Oh yeah! Tell me about it!

So now you know where I'm coming from... sorta...