What are the motifs in Tender at the Bone: Growing Up at the Table by Ruth Reichl?

Extended family is a reoccurring idea in the book. Ruth survives a tumultuous childhood with a mentally ill mother and an inattentive father mostly because she has a varied and supportive extended family. Her half-brother Bob, although more than ten years older than Ruth, provides moral support in her battles against a chaotic childhood. Ruth's Aunt Birdie is a refuge of sanity in the storm of her mother's chaos, regularly scooping Ruth up and pampering her with hot fudge sundaes. Even the alcoholic family cook Mrs. Peavey takes Ruth under her wing.