Who do you call family?

[easttexaslefty]

almost 3 years ago I thought I knew who my "family" was. My brother. My in-laws, of which there are many. My MIL who I spent years taking care of, along with my FIL. My 6, count them 6, sister-in-laws.
A tragedy occurs and we disappear with almost all of the above mentioned. We have had to forge a new way. Find others to fill those roles. To love us and accept us as we are,damaged, lost and grieving. And to give our love back to those who know how to be real, compassionate human beings. How can you think you know people for that long but really don't? So who's your family?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. My dear easttexaslefty...

What a sad situation, to endure the loss of your family over a tragedy. Genuine family members do not do this...

Families can be defined in so many ways. Completely unrelated people can live together and become a family because they truly love and respect one another...

Families are also bound by blood ties, but you must have respect (at least) for it to be a genuine family...

My family consists of my blood relatives, my husband and many cousins, nieces and nephews...Plus I have some very close friends who I consider family because of the love and respect that join us.

:hug:

[easttexaslefty]

2. Thank you for the response, Peggy

its not something that bothers me much anymore. I love my "new" family because they are real. They're not afraid of emotions. to express them or hear them. Sometimes, it takes something like this to wake you up to the people you want in your life, blood relations or not....

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. You're welcome!

And this is true. You do want real people in your family. Blood relations are absolutely not the only way to have family.

You are wise to have found this truth...

[easttexaslefty]

4. I don't know,

this has made me reconsider the term "family".For myself anyway.Did they ever really love you anyway? Is it just what people see on the outside? Or are they there for the dark parts too? Who are these people that have been thrown into your life? Do you have to like them or can you just let them go?

[JitterbugPerfume]

5. your family are the people that you love,

and they love you back

[Blue-Jay]

6. I preface any mention of family with "Our".

Our Diane.
Our Will.
Our Beverly.
Our Sue.
Our Dan.

etc.

It's a habit that Our Diane (from Liverpool) instilled in me when referring to family members/close friends. It's nice, don'tcha think?

[UTUSN]

7. People here. Strangers wherever. What's the question? n/t

[Haole Girl]

8. Everyone related to me (except my step-monster) and a few close friends. nt

[chillspike]

9. Well, I'd like to think the human race is my family

after all, we are from the same species, aren't we?

[Lindsey]

10. I have my family "family" and my good frieds are my family. n/t

[Old Troop]

11. My family is those who have stood by me and accepted me regardless

of the situation. That doesn't mean they don't try to correct me when I'm wrong.

[jotsy]

12. Every living, breathing thing on the planet.