We Are Made of Us

Lessons from a hospital chaplain on family, trauma, and love

Working with the ill, injured, and dying at a level 1 trauma center, J.S. Park has seen it all, from shocking confessions to deathbed reconciliations. One thing he’s noticed: When it comes to family, even the most “well-adjusted” person can fall into unhealthy patterns. Secrecy, guilt, and fear can make changing our family dynamics feel impossible. But we are not doomed to repeat the same cycles over and over. We can rewrite the next chapter of our family history.

In We Are Made of Us, Park weaves together stories from his chaplaincy and upbringing with evidence-based research and trauma-informed care principles. And as the son of Korean immigrants who has provided counsel to people from all walks of life, he brings to bear diverse cultural perspectives on healing, community, and liberation. The book explores three concentric circles of family:

• family of origin (the family we were raised in)
• chosen family (the community we surround ourselves with)
• family beyond (the people we’re connected to from beyond the grave, across oceans, or by ancestry)

No matter who you are or how complicated your family is, We Are Made of Us is here to provide the comfort, insight, and strength you need to decode your origins and come home to yourself.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs