The modern American family is a genetic and historical amalgam from throughout the world. The typical family history contains fading memories of immigration, wars, social interactions and friendships. These memories are fading all the faster because of a culture that worships youth and the grandiloquence of "experts" to the extent of ignoring the wisdoms and insights gathers through decade upon decade of experience by ordinary people. We now live in a society that places the beliefs and stories of a relatively small group of "academics" above family wisdom. Somehow we have come to believe...