The Schnur Brunch (FINAL DRAFT)

The Schnur Brunch

The definition for family is “the descendants from a common ancestor,” but is that what truly defines family. In the Schnur family everyone was related whether it was blood or not.

“It was different, because you had to learn everyone else’s story and where they came from,”oldest brother Chad Schnur said. “And just adjust to them being in your lives.”

Chad Schnur is the oldest brother in the family and his older sister Suzanne Schnur and him soon got two new siblings.

“I was so happy to just have a little brother and sister,” Chad said.” I kind of let go of what people would say. It was never them who made it hard it was the outsiders looking in.”

Though they felt so happy about their new family, it soon would make things harder for Chad at school.

“In the time I grew up a lot of people would make fun of me for having ‘two moms’ or ‘step siblings,’ Chad said. “Because those kind of things just never really happened or were talked about.”

When Chad was in highschool people didn’t have divorced parents, so he had to have other people get used to it just as he did.

“If anyone ever really asked if that was your half sibling we would just say, ‘well no that’s my brother or sister,” Chad said. “I think that it happened like that because we really weren’t taught any better.”

Mary Faiello and Kenneth Schnur got re-married to each other, bringing their own kids together.

“I think if Mum and Ken’s approach would have changed it.” the youngest sister Deana Orsino said. “They never taught us any different from the fact that we were family.”

Mary had her daughter, Deana and Kenneth had his kids Suzanne and Chad, the three sibling began becoming very close.

“Chad would always walk me to school,” Deana Orsino said . “Every day and hold my hand and we walked down hills and I would always fall and he would pick me back up.”

In the family there were only three kids, but what they didn’t know was they were soon gonna be four.

“I was only 10 years old and I already had two sisters, so I was super excited to get a little brother,” Chad said.

Kenny Schnur was the baby in the family, and by the time he was born Chad was now in high school, and Suzanne was off to college.

“By the time that I was born, it was only Deana and I,” said Kenny Schnur, “and we always have gotten along.”

With all of the family in different directions and ages very spread apart they all still found time for each other.

“We didn’t talk as much when I left,” Suzanne said. “Even though we didn’t talk, it didn’t change, because when I came home it was like I never left.”

The Family never saw themselves as “half sibling” or “step sibling”, when most people find the stereotypical step sibling to be scary or evil.

“I got it from Chad to be pretty vocal about it,” said Kenny. “I would say like oh no we are just brother and sister, there is no half or step.”

Just like any other family the Schnur’s stuck together and stayed there for one another.

“Nothing could’ve changed our bond,” Suzanne said. “There were just so much love.”

Lots of family problems today will start with the family having a low income, or not enough money.

“We all went through tough times together,” Chad said. “When all we had was each other.”

The Schnur’s grew up together in Homestead, Pennsylvania, and they didn’t grow up with a lot of money, and that can be hard on a family and even pull them apart.

“I can’t remember a time, we were always happy together and full of laughter,” Kenny said. “It was always great when we were all together.”

They pushed past the bad and focused on each other to make what they were going through easier.

“We never had tons of money, or tons of food in the fridge,” said Chad. “But when you push through that with loved ones by your side it makes it easier.”

Despite all of their differences, they grew up with love and support to keep them going.

“I never thought we were that similar, but we all got very close. Our moments were just filled with joy,” Deana said.

No matter where else everyone went to or moved they all stayed close to one another, and would make times for each other.

“Every Christmas, even though we all went off to spend time with our other parents, we always made time for each other,” said Suzanne. “ I felt like we always had the best times.”

Their Family stuck together through the thick and thin, and that is what really defines who you family is.

“I don’t think that being blood related makes a difference at all,” Chad said. “Because there are people that are blood related and aren’t close and don’t talk at all. We have as normal as a relationship as anyone else would’ve had.”