JoReviews has a very SPECIAL giveaway featuring advance screening passes to My Sister’s Keeper.

For this giveaway we are asking you to share your story. Tell us a memorable moment with your family. Maybe it is a story passed down from generations, a family tradition or something unique and special to your kin. OUR LUCKY WINNERS STORY

“I have always had an especially strong relationship with my family. I have two sisters, one older, one younger. When I bought my first house, my family moved in with me. The house was just an average family home with a bonus, a sparkling in ground pool. Pool maintenance was something I learned on the fly. One morning I woke to peer out my window and see a large brownish lump stuck to the rope in the pool. I went downstairs and to my horror realized that some unknown rodent and taking its last dip in my pool. I knew there was no way I was going out there. I thought, I got to get it out of there somehow. That was when my bubbly baby sister trotted downstairs all ready for school. As a junior high teen girl my sister had the usual interests and aversions. But I was the older sister, right. I said, “Uhm Kalli, I need you to go do something.” I proceeded to tell her an animal died in the pool and her hand flew to her throat clearly upset. Without pausing I then informed her it was her responsibility to go and get the net, scoop it up and dispose of it. “What?!” she cried. A yanked her down to the patio door and shoved her out. Through the glass I said, “You’re not coming back until you get rid of it.” And being the younger sibling helpless to defy me, she complied. I howled with laughter as I watched her use the long pole to pull the creature to the edge and then scoop it out. She held it away from her body and stumbled to the end of the yard heaving it over the side of the fence. She returned to the kitchen teary eyed and definitely disturbed. I patted her on the shoulder and complimented her work. “Good job. By the way, what was that?” She looked up stunned and with a catch in her voice replied, “A possum I think.” And then we both laughed. Sisters, can always be counted on to bury a body or at least toss one over the fence.”

Congratulations Amber!!

You have won:

A free painting session and coffee mug for 2 from Walls of Clay, buffet meal for 2 from Cinzetti’s Italian Market Restaurant and a hard copy of My Sisters Keeper

So tell us why your family needs notary and deserves recognition. Stories will be posted, if you wish to remain anonymous please indicate so.

We have 50 admit-two advance passes for the screening on Monday, June 22nd at 7:30pm at the Olathe Studio. Just fill out the form below and we will have a drawing to determine the 50 lucky winners on Friday June 19th. The winners will then receive an email with instructions on how to print out their pass. Make sure to bring the pass with you to the screening. Be sure to get there early. These screenings are overbooked to fill every seat. Only ONE entry per email address. Only eligible for Kansas/Missouri metro area residents. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.

My Sisters Keeper

Cast: Cameron Diaz, Alec Baldwin, Abigail Breslin, Jason Patric, Thomas Dekker, Sofia Vassilieva, Joan Cusack

Synopsis: Sara and Brian live an idyllic life with their young son and daughter. But their family is rocked by sudden, heartbreaking news that forces them to make a difficult and unorthodox choice in order to save their baby girl’s life. The parents’ desperate decision raises both ethical and moral questions and rips away at the foundation of their relationship. Their actions ultimately set off a court case that threatens to tear the family apart, while revealing surprising truths that challenge everyone’s perceptions of love and loyalty and give new meaning to the definition of healing.

Studio: Warner Bros.

Release Date: Friday, June 26, 2009

MPAA Rating: THIS FILM IS RATED PG-13 FOR FOR MATURE THEMATIC CONTENT, SOME DISTURBING IMAGES, SENSUALITY, LANGUAGE AND BRIEF TEEN DRINKING.

VISITORS FAMILY STORIES

Jodi: I have one younger sister and growing up things were pretty typical, we fought and argued. But now as adults we talk almost every week and try and spend time together when ever we can. We love each other unconditionally.

Melissa: my sister works for the pentagon and on sept11,2001for 8 hours we worried.she was missing for about 8 hours.thank god she made it through and is alive today.this was the scariest moment in our lives.

Lisa: My mother is a cancer survivor, my mother had me at a young age and because of school and her age my grandmother stepped into her role and my mom was more like a sister to me. We are blessed that she survived and has been cancer free for about 2 years now. I really look forward to seeing this movie.

Andie: I’m the youngest of three girls, i have a sister that is 6 years older and a twin sister that’s older by two minutes (thoses two minutes are important to her). we are unusually close with our older sister for such an age gap, and are often times thought to be triplets.

Melissa: I am the second of five children the gap from first to last is 14 years. I have to say that we are very lucky. Even with this huge gap we are all extremely close. We are all relatively grow now. The sad part about that is I have had to up-root and move to another state I am now about 5.5 hours from my family. Since I talk to them nearly daily I didn’t realize how far this was until I tried to plan my sister’s wedding from Kansas. I spent several weeks in the past year my husband here in Kansas and our two kids and I were in another state helping with wedding plans. It is extremely hard to plan a wedding with two kids in-tow the whole time. However, my Husband understood how much my sister needed me, how much I love her and how nervous she was. Her wedding was beautiful and so was she. I came home exhausted and ready to relax. I would do anything for my family. I hope this movie also proves how much love there can be in a family

Judy: My Mom died of cancer. One day while taking care of her as her health declined, I reflected how now our roles had reversed. I was now the “mother” taking care of a “child”. How lucky I was to give back, but how sad it was under such circumstance.

Billie: There is nothing more important than family. I recently started a small book club a couple of friends. For our first book, I chose My Sisters Keeper. This book touched me in a way that I could not have imagined. I lost my sister in a car accident four years ago. She was 22 years old. When I read the epilogue of this book, it was like someone took all of the feelings that I had inside and put them on paper. Although this book was fiction, it really helped me to see that there are other people who know how I feel. I know that it is okay to still hurt and miss my sister. I also know that even though life has moved on, we will never forget. Losing a loved one really puts things in perspective. It is the time that you have together now that matters. I want to pass along the message that you should never take your family for granted. You never know when they might not be there anymore.

Paula: I have a niece who has a malignant brain tumor at her brain stem . The doctors have operated on this tumor twice now,both times only able to get a portion of tumor because of where it is located. She had her last surgery in May. She is now in a coma with little chance of recovering. She is 17 and scheduled to graduate from high school on June 24. She was made honorary valadictorian. Her parents have to attend her graduation for her to accept the award and her diploma and god willing she will be alive and recover from this tragedy.

Eddie: With the passing of my Uncle, my mother decided to stay with my aunt. They are 600miles away from Kansas city and it was difficult at times for both my mother and father along with my aunt. My sister and I had to come together and be closer to help out my father and found out that when my aunt and my mother were younger, they had to do the same thing when someone they knew passes away. It’s like it was 2nd nature to come together and brainstorm how to get throught the thick and keep at it till the end.

Theresa: I have seven very loving sisters. Two have had cancer,and one was told she had 6 months to live… thirty years later she is doing great! We believe in miracles.

Renea: I come a big mexican family.So every christmas we all travel to a small town named Bruch,Colorado. My family tradition is to make tamales christmas eve and at midnight we open gifts.This pas christmas wa the hardest,because my grandmother,”Big Grandma”,is what we called her,passed away last year.She was our rock of the family.We could have not came together for christmas,but we thought we needed to keep our tradition,especially for the younger children.As we all stood around the dinning room table making tamales,we laughed and cried, talking about stories of Big Grandma. We knew she was there in spirit.It was the most difficult time for myself and my family,but to know that with family,there is a bond of love that you take with you in your heart and share with others,and to know that life goes on,and you become stronger for it.

Edwina: I spent alot of time with my grandmother we were very close she was like my mother she gave me lots of love and attention and she taught me right from wrong she taught me all the things i needed to learn and how i should grow up and be in life. she instilled alot of very good high quality things n my life she taught me alot.
My family was not a close family my mom and dad never showed me and my brother affection nor love or attention..but my grandmother gave me lots of love and attention.
My grandmother taught me to cook and bake those were my favorite things to do of coarse i would rather do that over chores but i learned to cook and bake at 7.
my grandmother was always there for me through thick and through thin. she was always there for me even when i was out on my own and had my own place.
My grandmother always made everyone in the family for there birthdays whatever there favorite foods were and had a big dinner for all the family to get together and whatever that family member wanted for there birthday for food they got it all.
My grandmother was the only person to try to keep all the family close and do things with each other so she always did birthdays and holidays and those were big celebrations.
Unfortunantly my grandmother had 9 lives she had 2 heart attacks and 6 strokes and the last one took her life.
I took the loss hard but i know there was one thing my grandmother taught me no matter if you are not close with your family is try to make all efforts possible to still try and keep what family we can together.
So me being the only one in the family being the big cook and baker thanks to grandma i took on my grandmothers tradition of getting the family all together and making sure i cook the big meals and have the big holiday celebrations and spend time with family.
I have been alot closer with my family since the passing of my grandmother that actually made us appreciate family more than anyone ever had. My family is very thankful that i love to cook and bake and how i try to keep the family together just like my grandmother did and taught me to do.
My family has no shame in there game by asking me if i can make or bake them something special i know they do appreciate everything i do….
I am very thankful that i married into a loving close family i appreciate the closeness that i didnt have growing up.
I use the cooking and baking skills that were taught to me by my grandmother. I use those skills for holidays at my inlaws they so much appreciate the cooking and the baking. I do alot of new recipes and alot of concotions there is alot of recipes my grandmother use to make that i make as well alot of them are baking recipes.
My inlaws tell me all the time how gifted i am in cooking and baking and how much they appreciate all the help i am to them by being a part of the family and pitching in and making quite a bit of dishes. They are fair to me in everyway just as if i was there own child i really appreciate that alot i have learned alot also from my husbands family and i appreciate them as much as they appreciate me.
All i can say now past,present,future—live,love,laugh… I got on with my life and i couldnt ask for a better one. I am happy i have learned so much in my life…..i still miss my grandmother to this day and it has been 19 years since she passed. Wether your right or wrong no matter what always try to make things right with your family and try and stay as close as you can with them even if some changes have to be made on our own part.
thanks so much for letting me share this story.

Andrew: During my entire childhood, my siblings (one brother, one sister) and I tried to run away for no apparent reason. We were very bent on making it happen. I’m pretty sure it was the thrill of seeing if we could actually run away. Thankfully, we never succeeded. I can’t even put a number to how many times we tried.

We used many different and very crazy methods to achieve freedom. We tried to run away:
on an inflatable raft
on a go-cart
to a treehouse that was almost destroyed
by my brother and sister stealing my parents car
and many other crazy ways. Some I’m surprised we didn’t die from.

However, I wouldn’t trade my childhood for anything in the world. It was the most adventurous and amazing childhood ever.

Lisa: Christmas Eve at the Simon household consists of a trip to the local food kitchen to serve Christmas dinner to the many homeless in Kansas City. It is a family tradition that I wouldn’t trade for the world. It taught me, my children and hopefully grandchildren one day that things are never to be taken for granted. It is a valuable life lesson that we should all be grateful for what we have. When you feel like you are down in the dumps and have nothing in your life… donate your time to a worthwhile organization. The smiles on the faces of the people you help are all it takes to turn around your whole outlook on life.

Crystle: I have 2 sisters..one of them is very close to me..she lives in FL and i wish i could see her more!!

Sandy: My daughter Katie is 10 but when she was only about 6 months old, my mother passed away. Katie was not supposed to be…see I was told I was never to have any children and guess what? At the age of 38, Katie was born and she saved my life…I was not at all in line with the rest of the world, but when God game me her, I changed. But back to our story. At my mother’s funeral, we were all sad (Katie has no grandparents now) and my mother was my world. But then at the very saddest point of the service, Katie started to “sing”. And I mean sing; it was the loudest, most beautiful sound that I have ever heard. We all started laughing and I knew at the point, everything would be okay.

My daughter has seen the clips for this movie and she wants to go, then afterward, I want to take her for dessert and remind her of this story. Thank you for this opportunity and for your website, it is awesome!

Penny: My sister, grandmother, mom and I would travel across the U.S. each year on a vacation. We saw every roadside picnic bench and historical marker along the way. We went to Mt Rushmore, Niagra Falls, Canada (a couple of times), Alaska etc…all but 8 states. I took for granted that everyone had the chance to travele. The campsites were primative and eating vienna sausages and drinking Kool-aid wasn’t uptown living but they were great fun and now I realize some of the most memorable times of my life.

Lawrence: I have two Sisters, who have Breast Cancer. One has had both breast removed. And my other sister has had one breast removed. And has been told she needs to have the other one removed also.She has lost all of her. So you see I know the pain.

Josh: When I was little, my Nana used to sing us “Jesus Loves Me” while we sat in a rocking chair. I got older and we stop singing the song. My Nana passed away from cancer when i was 15, and at her funeral, she requested that everyone would sing a song. It was “Jesus Loves Me”. I hadn’t even heard that song since she had sung it to me last. I didn’t cry the entire funeral until then. But I swore to myself, that when i have kids, I will sing them that song, sitting in a rocking chair, like my Nana did.

Earnestine: I didn’t have any sisters but I had three good friends, and no matter what was going on in our lives we took time to support one another, boyfriends marriage,breakups, babies. I was blessed .

Ashleigh: It’s been almost 2 years since my Father-In-Law (Larry) and niece (Sierra) were hit by a truck and killed, while riding and training for the MS150. It is ironic that they died while training for a ride to save others. We always felt that our extended family was held together by my Father-In-Law, as he was like a magnet and everyone that met him was drawn to him. Afterwards, we have made a real effort to get together as often as possible and my Mother-In-Law probably has a stronger bond with more of the female family members than she ever had before. We were all amazed at the tremendous outpouring of support by friends, family, and acquaintances. One of those acquaintances ended up to be one of the dearest friends that I’ve ever had. It’s amazing what tragedy will show you in yourself, bring out in others, and inspire you to do! I just hope that all of us see life as a precious gift now and don’t take it for granted, like we did before! From Sierra’s death, and the donation of of organs, came the gift life to others!

Anne: It’s been 10 years, but I will never forget the phone call that came just after 6am that my brother had been in a car accident in Belgium, on his 27th birthday. Later that day, my parents, another brother and I were on a plane to be at his bedside. It didn’t matter what last minute tickets cost or that i had a 2 small children at home, my husband knew I needed to be there & he took care of keeping the rest of our family informed. We were there to make the toughest decision we’ve ever had to make, but I was there for his last breaths and I will underestimate the power of a family to come together in the midst of supreme tragedy.

Germean: I have been taught faith and resilience by watching my mother’s example as she took care of both of my grandparents (her parents) when they both fell ill with cancer. My mother, a singe parent and a registered nurse, moved both of my grand parents into our home and our family took shifts caring for my grand parents until they both died 6 months of each other. It was a very difficult ordeal to live through but it made our family stronger. Now as an adult I will show my mother and my uncle the same love and care that they showed their parents during their greatest time of need. I only pray that I can set as good of an example to my nieces and nephew as my mother did for my brother and I.

Renee: I am recovering from my second surgery my first was gastric bypass in 01-08. I had every complication you could think of I was in ICU for 2 months then a regular room for 1 month. I was on a feeding tube for 5 months nothing by mouth for 5 months. Then things turned around and I got better and lost 105 lbs. I just last Friday had 27 lbs of excess skin removed and my family were so scared after my last hospital stay. But things went well and I am recovering at home now. I have a great family that has supported me through all of this.

Vicki: I was a single parent living in different cities
from my parents and siblings. They were still always there for me. Every summer my children would vacation with my parents. i know I never told them then how much I appreciated all of them.

Laurie: I have very fond memories of my summers as a kid. We lived in Iowa and both sets of our grandparents lived in Chicago. We would spend 2 weeks during the summer with each. The summer between my sixth and seventh grade my Grandma and Grandpa (Mom’s side) took on the daunting task of taking their 4 granddaughters on a vacation to California via Amtrak. When I say daunting I mean it, we were ages 11 – 16! My poor Grandpa and 5 women, he had such a hard time. Between guys giving my older cousin unwanted attention, all of our crazy side orders when we ate (this led to a strict “No side orders” policy by the end of the trip) and Grandpa being flustered enough to try and get out of the rental car while still belted in, we made some awesome memories. Still to this day when the family gets together at a restaurant (sadly all grandparents are gone now) someone will undoubtedly say “no side orders” and we’ll have a little laugh.

Robert: Our family vacations were not just for fun and relaxation, but a means for family togetherness. My parents with all 5 kids piled into our family Oldsmobile sedan. This was the days before seatbelts. Yes, it was a tight fit of 3 sisters and 2 brothers with 2 parents in this medium sized car. During our yearly drive to California, we counted cars, trucks, motorcycles, and even telephone poles, we played games, and the best part was the sharing of family stories. My parents would relate their family history and family stories for all of us. We would sit glued to each word from either Mom or Dad telling us about our grandparents, uncles, aunts and others. Little did Mom or Dad know that for us kids, this was the vacation! These were the memories that would last us a lifetime and be related over and over to our own kids years down the road. How quick the memory of the amusement park faded, but the family stories that were related to us during these trips will never be forgotten.

Amber: I have always had an especially strong relationship with my family. I have two sisters, one older, one younger. When I bought my first house, my family moved in with me. The house was just an average family home with a bonus, a sparkling in ground pool. Pool maintenance was something I learned on the fly. One morning I woke to peer out my window and see a large brownish lump stuck to the rope in the pool. I went downstairs and to my horror realized that some unknown rodent and taking its last dip in my pool. I knew there was no way I was going out there. I thought, I got to get it out of there somehow. That was when my bubbly baby sister trotted downstairs all ready for school. As a junior high teen girl my sister had the usual interests and aversions. But I was the older sister, right. I said, “Uhm Kalli, I need you to go do something.” I proceeded to tell her an animal died in the pool and her hand flew to her throat clearly upset. Without pausing I then informed her it was her responsibility to go and get the net, scoop it up and dispose of it. “What?!” she cried. A yanked her down to the patio door and shoved her out. Through the glass I said, “You’re not coming back until you get rid of it.” And being the younger sibling helpless to defy me, she complied. I howled with laughter as I watched her use the long pole to pull the creature to the edge and then scoop it out. She held it away from her body and stumbled to the end of the yard heaving it over the side of the fence. She returned to the kitchen teary eyed and definitely disturbed. I patted her on the shoulder and complimented her work. “Good job. By the way, what was that?” She looked up stunned and with a catch in her voice replied, “A possum I think.” And then we both laughed. Sisters, can always be counted on to bury a body or at least toss one over the fence.

Colene: As a cancer survivor, I read the book “My Sister’s Keeper”, and was very moved. My girlfriend since we were 4 gave the book to me. She is also a cancer survivor and set with me during my first chemo. We are both 9 and 10 year survivor’s now and cherish every day.

Shelly: Last year, my husband and I spent some time in China teaching. It was hard enough to be a billion miles away from my family. In May 2008 we lived through an 8.0 earthquake. Through media, my family was my stronghold and kept me strong through some really challenging times.

Katie: Technically, when I was a teenager, I lived with my best friend’s family, which taught me what a family really is! I was treated like a treasured family member from day one and remain their “daughter” to this day!

Jennifer: My family and extended family are very close. Every summer we plan a cruise so that we can send quality time together. We love all planning our daily activites and then having dinner together at night and telling out stories of the day.

Nicole: I have an amazing family. I think this movie is one that reflects upon many struggles that come with dealing with sickness. I have experienced, along with my family, those struggles that come with having loved ones who are fighting, and have lost the fight with chronic illnesses. With the education I have, I understand the disease process and am learning more every day about the affects it has on families.
I have come to understand the importance of love and sacrifice. I now, more than ever, cherrish the opportunities I have with my family and I relish in the opportunity to spend time with my parents. My favorite family tradition is going to K-State football games. This tradition started with my grandma and has continued and grown stronger even after her passing. We have season tickets and we have the opportiunity to get together as a family and participate in an event that we enjoy. Last season as a family, we got enough tickets to have all of my aunts, uncles and cousins come to a game. It was an incredible and memorable time. I am so thankful to have these opportunities and will continue to have this tradition well into the future.
My family and I have experienced the greif that comes with the loss of loved ones. I have lost grandparents, aunts and uncles. However, I think my family is especially wonderful in that we have grown closer with the each loss.