The past belongs to everyone who was there. What do you remember? ADD YOUR STORY
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While our sister is incommunicado, celebrating her birthday in Mexico with her husband, I thought it prudent to publish a slightly embarrassing photographic journey of a life filled with a whole lotta love, intelligence, kindness, generosity, beauty, and grace. (To ensure that she won’t be TOO mad at me, I included a pretty picture of her in which I have a double chin.)
Here she is, all smiles from the very beginning.
These arms are always open for a hug. Also, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to post a picture of her in a bikini!
Another hug, another bikini. This is a great example of the warmth that this gal brings to any situation. Look, she’s making Amanda smile! (Though not rare in real life, Amanda is not one for smiling in photographs. And you all KNOW how she felt about her little sister at this point in time!)
Ah, yes. The famous catalog shoot that began and ended Liz’s modeling career. She is wearing turquoise jeans, btw. Young Brooke Sheilds, for realz!
Heh, heh. Prom. She’s seriously going to kill me for this one.
Liz in front of her home in Long Island. It’s a happy place. Look at that grin!
Here’s Liz and me in Marfa, Texas, where we finished writing The Kids are All Right. We were trying to take an author photo of the two of us. This one, needless to say, was not a contender. (Note my chin.)
And here’s our beautiful sis on her wedding day. There seriously and in all honesty has never been a more beautiful bride!
WE LOVE YOU LIZ!!! HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Happy Birthday from an old Fox Lane alum.
Thank you Kerry! Hope you are really well! All best, liz
ps–Diana is in HUGE trouble for posting the prom photo… but I will get my revenge!
I am on my way to purchase your book for our book club selection we are discussing early March and feel like i know you all already! Happy Birthday!
Happiest Birthday Ever, Liz!
I am on page 320 of your book. I can’t stop reading it. This book gives me hope, everything does not have to turn out bad in the end. And I think if kids have a loving foundation from the beginning, which you all did, they’ll draw on that strength and love and be able to overcome hard times.
This story is inspirational.I am recommending it for my four, adult, children,
Becky-33, Angala-30, Dan-26, Mary-23.
Thank you for writing your story, I feel like I know all of you
Love, Cindi
Dear Wendy, thanks for your kind message! And let us know if you want any one of the welches to Skype in to your book club! We would be HAPPY to do it… just shoot us an email at thekidsareallrightbook@gmail.com and give us the date you want to do the book club–we’ll do our best to call or skype in to answer any questions you or your friends may have! THANKS for recommending our book to your group! All best, liz
Hello Cindi! Thanks sooo much for your kind message! And for recommending our book to your children… Love that you have one boy called Dan!! and three daughters…. poor Dan! (Yours and ours, being surrounded by so many women…) I hope they all are as close as we are… sounds like they are based on your note. Thanks again for getting in touch! and for the incredibly kind words about our book. All the very best, liz
Dear Amanda, Liz, Dan and Diana,
You are more than just all right, you are amazing and so is your book! I just read it on a road trip to visit my 93-year-old mom in my hometown. How lucky I am to still have her and to grow up with both parents, always living in the same house (although you couldn’t have told me that when I was a teenager!) I admire your persistence and perseverance in maintaining your family ties. Liz, I look forward to your next book — write on! Thanks to all four of you for sharing your lives so honestly.
Annie P.
Happy belated Birthday Liz!
I have just finished “The Kids Are All Right” and I have to tell you that I laughed and cried, ached and identified throughout. 1985 was the year my dad died (I am now 33). I am inspired by each of your stories to talk to my own brother (3 years younger) about his ‘version’ of our history, all those years ago. Thank you for sharing. I wish you all great happiness and love x
Carly xxx
Happy belated birthday Liz! I finally got your book from the library yesterday and I finished it last night. I could not put it down. I am recommending it to everyone I know! I want to thank you and your family for sharing your story – I could relate to it. My husband lost his dad at a young age and his mom was not able to care for him and his 6 (yes 6!) siblings. They were all split up and put in various foster homes and some of them were considered old enough to fend for themselves. They are all still very close and it really amazes me how close they are considering how they were all seperated growing up. I loved reading your life story and want to thank all of you again for sharing it with us!!
Dear Carly and Pam, thanks so much for the birthday wishes! And for sharing your stories with us. We are continually amazed at how many people relate to this story on a personal level…. I hope you write your own story Carly! And that your husband writes his too Pam. In fact, we are teaming up with the Foundling, a NY based organization to help raise awareness about keeping siblings together in the foster care system! If your husband is interested in sharing his story with me for this, please tell him to get in touch! He can email us at thekidsareallright@gmail.com. We are collecting stories of siblings who were separated… and would love to include his if he is up for it. All the very best, liz
Liz,
The Welch’s are an inspiration! Your mom and dad were very special and will always be. Hang onto all those memories and keep them inside and bring them out every day. Although the four of you lost your parents early…too early… they are still with you every single day. The Love you received from your parents in such a short time doesn’t even compare to the Chamberlain’s who are still alive. Guys I commend each of you. We are reading this for our book club and will discuss this on Monday. all my best.
liz
I couldn’t put your book down once I started to read. You four are amazing individuals and I was overjoyed to know you are still so close to one another today. I am an only child but reading about you all makes me long for siblings. Your book is beautifully written and I thank you for sharing your story. Having watched your mother on TV I can certainly understand why you are all so talented. I wish you all continued success and happiness.
Shary
I was fortunate to be able to be with Liz on her birthday in Mexico; the beach @ Puerto Morales!
What a pleasure to meet them.
June
This morning I am awed and so very grateful. I woke early to finish your book. It is quiet now, although I hear the gentle sounds of my daughters waking. Your story will be with ne today as I watch the sisters laugh, sigh, exasperate, and grow with each other. I am so sorry for your loss, but am so happy for your continued discovery — that with a sibling next to you, all can be good.Best wishes to each of you, and thank you for sharing your story (ummm…and music, I graduated high school in 1984 :O)
What a beautiful note, Tracy! You really captured a gentle morning in your home! Thank you so much for sharing it with us. And thank you for the kind words about our book!
xoxDiana
I just finished reading your amazing story! Why was it so addicting? It was a burning desire to see it all turn out all right. Although I must say that as I read along there was some satisfaction in knowing that those who did wrong will be exposed now ! ( I loved that) Thank you for your honesty, all of you. It made it all the more real for me. I am sure that this book is going up the best seller list fast. I would be shocked if it doesn’t. I’ll be telling everyone I know about it. p.s thanks for this little extra peek into the happy ending!
To the Welch Family
Thank you for sharing your story with me, it touched home, I too was separated as a young child and suffered many losses, I have six brother and one sister and your book inspired me.
Thank you very much.
Your book touched me on so many levels. It was a touching walk through your life, but could have been the lives of so many. I loved that through the face of adversity you all not only survived but in the end, thrived! What a testimony to the power of love and family! Thank you for sharing your happy ending on this website. It makes the journey through the book that much better!
Dear e gill: thanks for your sweet note! I am glad to hear you found it addicting! We’d love your thoughts… diana and I just heard that our publisher wants another 16 pages added to the paperback release which comes out September 14th… anything in particular from our website that you think should be included… like a follow up along the lines of where are we now? Would love your thoughts! And thank you soooo so much for reading our book and reaching out to us! All best, liz
Hello Bill! so nice to get your note and while I am sad to hear that you too suffered such sad losses so young, I am happy to know you have siblings to help you remember what you lost. I hope our book inspired you to write YOUR story. Thank you for reaching out to us. We are deeply touched by all the kind words we are receiving from folks such as yourself! There are a lot of us out there… wishing you all the best, Liz
Cheryl, thanks for your message! I am going to ask you the same thing I just asked e gill… should the happy ending go in the paper back version of the book? I think we should take a poll! Diana and I want to write another ending perhaps… fast forwarding a bit so people can learn just how all right we really are! Would love your thoughts! And thank you again for reading our book and getting in touch. I am constantly amazed at the outpouring–makes me feel so good that we decided to tell this story together. Wishing you all the best, liz
I personally would like to see a little more of the happy ending in the paper back version. The book is perfect already, but for us sentimental ones, a little more light at the end of such a long, dark, tunnel would make the book that much better! Thanks for asking!
Just finished your book. I could not put it down. Your parents would be so proud or how you all endured to reach your own “happy” endings.
I think the current ending is great. The fact that you’re all back in family house means so much. A nice stopping point. If you need 16 more pages … some more about conversations with Amanda and your mom about setting up the trust and planning for her death. A great book – congrats!
Dear Liz,
Just finished your book-could not put it down! I am traveling with my 3 daughters and husband right now and we are staying in a hotel in Santa Fe-have been skiing in Telluride last week for Spring Break and headed back to Austin tomorrow. I just looked at all your family photos-love them all. I feel like I know you all!!Thanks for a wonderful read-you and your siblings rock!
Mary Collins
I just finished reading your book! I couldnt stop reading it because it was so good, so well written, and I love how each of you wrote your own views. I am not close at all with my four sisters. For all the things we went through together, it drove us apart. My mom never got along with her sisters and we seemed to be the same. I would love so much to have the relationship you all have…we are experienceing another flood here in ND and our farm is in the middle of it. I was recently thinking, wow, my sisters havent even called to see if I am all right. But the truth is I am all right and thats what matters. Also my three grown kids are very close. I am a three year cancer survivor and I can relate to Liz when it was hard for her to be with her mom when she was so ill. My son was the same with me. As moms, we love deeply and dearly and understand, so though I grieved his distance, I was ok with it. I am so happy for all of you and look forward to another book giving an update! Amanda is awesome in how she handled the trust and took care of her siblings. Love and happiness to you all!
I caught the review of your book in EW, was amazed at the basis of your book and started remembering your Mom. I watched her on Loving, the few years it was on and thought she was a really beautiful lady. Often wondered where she had gone, and now I know, and what legacy she and your Dad left. I am very glad that you were able to keep the family together as well as you did. Here’s wishing you all the best for the rest!
Oh, btw, great read and awesome concept of the 4 viewpoints.
Thank you so much, Mara. That’s wild that you are in the middle of a flood – has everything cleared? Is is the Red River again? I’m sorry you feel so distant from your siblings, but it is wonderful to hear that you have raised children who are close to each other — and you. Speaking of which: Congrats on beating your cancer, and I hope you give our book to your son so he’ll be nicer to you! And, yes: AMANDA IA AWESOME!
thanks again for writing us,
Diana
thanks, Paula!! So cool that you were a fan of our mom’s. We absolutely love hearing from people who knew her work – it’s really amazing that she still has fans out there. We didn’t even know she was any good! As an actress, that is. All we knew was that she was a great mom.
Wow I just finished your book and was happy to find out about this web site as your story is still with me. Thank you so much for sharing your story in such an open and honest way. I grew up in the 80’s and have never read a book that portrayed what it was like as well as yours. I have kids now and didn’t have a very close family growing up so it was impactful to me to read about your memories of your Mom and what stood out to you. Thanks for reminding me what is important and thanks again for your honesty.
To your happiness and success.
I just finished your book while on vacation in Mexico. I didn’t think it would be possible to shed tears while on a white sand beach, but I did! Your book hit home on so many levels. I could relate to the music as I am a true eighties child (same age as Liz), the sibling issues being the second born and trying to keep peace in the family, but most importantly, I could relate to losing my mother to cancer. The mixed emotions of anger, sadness, and despair all came to the surface again as I read about your dear mother in bed as the cancer was getting the best of her. I was 21 years old, but those memories are still so fresh. It’s as if you were describing my mother in your book. My 2 sisters and I lost our home as we knew it and had to grow up fast. We became more of a caretaker for my father and had to find new places to live. So few people out there know what it is like to never have a “home” to return to. The 3 of us are in different states now and we have our moments- but we are still very close. Your book meant a lot to me. It was well written and so easy to read. The candor each of you displayed in the book was amazing. Thanks again for writing such a meaningful, special story!
Jennifer, thanks so much for your kind note! I am sorry we made you cry while on vacation… and that our memories of our mom brought back such painful memories of your own mom. But we do believe that reliving those moments helps ease that pain… and really helps celebrate the person we lost. I am sorry you lost your mom… you were way too young. I realized that I was way too young when I wrote this book. But I do feel I was lucky to have my mom for as long as I did. It sounds like you might agree with me on this too. I am SOOOO glad to hear you and your siblings are close (despite living in different states) I can DEFINITELY relate to that! Diana is in Texas, Dan and Amanda in Virginia leaving me the sole Welch left in NYC! But I get to see my siblings often and we always pick right up where we left off. Thanks so much for reaching out to us. Notes like yours make us feel proud we wrote this book. We are so not alone. Sending you all the best, xliz
Such a great read. It was a great reminder of the strong bonds that all siblings share.
I read your book on my Kindle last year and literally could not put it down. I’m the same age (born in 1969) so I really related to the music, the culture, and the “feeling” of the times. My mom died of cancer when I was 26 and I felt I was way too young to lose her then. My sister is 6 years older than me and my brother is 15 months younger. My sister and I struggled for years to get along until we were in our 30’s and then it gelled. My brother and I have almost always been super close (well, except for high school LOL). Losing my mom was like losing 4 people – she was such a force in our family. My dad has adjusted well and we are thankful we are a close family because we can see how it could break a family apart. The hardest thing, now that my mom and both of her sisters are gone (her brother is still alive) as well as their parents is staying in touch with the cousins and now we are closer than ever thanks to Facebook. I’ve recommended your book endlessly to everyone I know (and even a few strangers). The idea of a paperback with new pages is making me tingle with excitement! LOL I’ll have to buy it again on my Kindle (and I WILL)! Thank you for sharing your story and for writing it in such an accessible way. You are an inspiration to all families, whether close or not. xoxo
Thank you so much, Jenna-lee!!!!!
xoxdiana
Am about to begin your book, as it was recommended to me by one of our volunteers at Camp Koala. http://www.campkoala.org. Thanks, looking forward to it…..Lisa
thanks, Paula!! So cool that you were a fan of our mom’s. We absolutely love hearing from people who knew her work – it’s really amazing that she still has fans out there. We didn’t even know she was any good! As an actress, that is. All we knew was that she was a great mom.
Hello Welch family! I have just put down your book and realize I have been clutching it manically while reading….what an inspiration you are to one another and thank you for sharing your life! I grew up in the 70s and 80s and have 3 kids…I can only hope that somehow I can instill the loyalty and unconditional devotion you all share in my children. What a gift your parents have given to you all. Can’t wait to hear more from you, hoping it’s good, good, good!!
I have LOVED getting to know you all. xxx
I cannot stop reading your book. I’ve called both my sister and cried and told them how much I love them. And my Mom. On to my brothers next. I loved reliving the 80’s with your family. All my best, Jane of the Westfalls, originally from Minnesota, now in San Francisco
Just finished your wonderful book and like many others I couldn’t put it down (finished it in a day). I cried a lot though I knew in the end “the kids are alright.”
I am around the same age and I especially loved all 80’s fashion and music references. I also lived on and off in Bedford in the late 80’s and early 90’s (working as a nanny for a wonderful family) so it brought back many memories – the Bazaar Mall, Hellers, Leonard Park etc. Coming from the West Coast it was a different world and though I met many wonderful people there many like the Chamberlains. I am so happy that Diana didn’t have to spend her entire childhood living with them.
I will be recommending your book to everyone I know. It was a truly riveting story packed with honesty and strength. Thanks so much for telling us your story. I wish you all the very best!
Finished your book in four days, took it everywhere I went. I couldn’t put it down, and I am BUSY!! Thank you ALL for your honesty, and your rawness, and your commitment to each other. Liz, for your compassionate heart, Dan for your guts, Diana for your undying faith and Amanda for your strength, I applaud you for documenting & sharing your struggles and triumphs along your grief journey. Thank you from grieving children-turned adults everywhere.
Thank you all for putting yourselves out there. No small task and I hope it was a cleansing for all of you.
The people who cared for you likely did the best they could but it must have been tough for everyone.
Thanks again.
Jessie
Happy Birthday Liz,
I just finished your family’s book and was so touched by it. I lost my mom a little over a year ago and have been feeling very sorry for myself. And now am ashamed of myself. I had my mom for 47 years, and her death was quick and gentle- she was playing tennis on Thanksgiving and dead on Christmas Day.I am so glad that you and your sibs have each other, and were able to be together as grown-ups. Diana could have so easily been lost! (I have some choice words for her “mom”, who was a cruel and unusual person.)Anyway, thanks for writing this lovely book.
Dear Leslie, thanks so much for your sweet note and don’t feel ashamed for one second! I am glad that you had your mom for 47 years and it sounds like her illness went quickly–perhaps a gift in one way but a painful loss all the same. I am so glad you enjoyed our book! thanks for reaching out to us! xliz
Dear Jessie, you are SO right on. Writing this book together was cleansing, healing and in so many ways important. We all finally got to grieve our parents. I think it was too hard to do back then when we were kids. So writing about that loss from the perspective of our relative ages back then allowed us to feel it–really feel it–for the first time. And then it did this other amazing thing–it reminded us how lucky we are to have one another. Thanks for reading it! And for reaching out to share your thoughts with us. We deeply appreciate it. xliz
Dear Lisa–thanks for turning us on to Camp Koala! And to your friend for recommending our book. I am working with foster kids right now who have experienced a different kid of loss, but a loss all the same. I am amazed at the healing power in sharing our stories. And love that ours touched you. Wishing you all the very best and then some. xliz
Dear Deana–having lived in Bedford, I wonder if you crossed paths with any welches or folks that were mentioned in the book? It is a funny place Bedford. It breaks my heart that such a beautiful place–filled with so many happy early memories–also holds such sad ones for me too. It makes visits always bittersweet I must say! But I am so glad you enjoyed our book and my guess is Bedford leapt off the page… the dirt roads, the country club. the bazaar mall. We have heard from many folks that reading our book was a flash back to their own teenage years there. In fact, are you sure you never came to one of our keg parties? xxxliz
Dear Jane from San Francisco by way of Minnesota! Thanks for reading our book! And for being moved to call you siblings as a result of reading it… that, in our minds, is the biggest compliment you can pay us! xliz