I heard on the news that an increasing percentage of young adults are living with their parents. I know that there are many Firedoglakers who are taking care of their parents, whether in the same house or not, it’s still a new and different responsibility. Without going political on the subject, we are being faced with changes that some have said we need to face with austerity. But, I want to think of this as a chance to face our future with bigger hearts. I know that there are many reading this who have put time, money and effort into the Occupy Events. I know that there are people who face the future by rescuing animals and adopting them. They are sharing their love with those who need it.

“Hell and Back Again” Danfung Dennis’ hypnotic, compelling documentary follows the return of a badly injured Marine from Afghanistan, inter-cutting footage from the battlefield with scenes from 25-year old Sgt Nathaniel Harris’ life back in North Carolina.

Rather than dwelling on those who have given their lives in wars in the US (I am fortunate that for all the members of my family who have served in the military over the years, I think only my Great Uncle Will died while serving during war time and his death during the Spanish-American War was from disease), I want to discuss the folks who always seem to get lost, the veterans who return from war breathing but damaged in soul.

As the economy fails to improve, as we chart the rise of the Tea Party and the Republican Party’s ability to express disdain for unemployment benefits without significant political cost, Americans lack a roadmap for the role of class and gender in the new American landscape. Joan Williams’ book, Reshaping the Work-Family Debate: Why Men and Class Matter (Harvard 2010), supplies that roadmap. The book creates an innovative framework for examining the relationship between law, work and family in the post-industrial economy.

As we celebrate this holiday in 2010, I’d like to ask folks to pause at some point between the burgers and dogs, beer, brisket, and ribs, and the day off and reflect on the meaning of the holiday. Think about the death this past week of Lt John Finn, 100 years old and the then oldest surviving holder of the Medal of Honor for his actions during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Think about the 1,000th US casualty in Afghanistan (a “milestone” we crossed this past week), the more than 4,000 US soldiers who have died in Iraq. Think about the millions of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines who have been injured or died in the wars since the Civil War.

Wow. Wow. Prodigal Sons is a stunning, jaw dropping look at family, adoption, severe trauma, sexual orientation, gender and ultimately what is and how we define our identity. Using her gifts as a filmmaker Kimberley Reed gives us an intimate, evolving story about the nature of identity and the meaning of family.