Familia...

This post comes from a place of reflection.

It is a post that will be hard not to edit once published, but I will try not to.

Family simply put is: all the descendants of a common ancestor.

Easy, right? Blood relation makes you family.

So what happens when you have known someone all your life but they do not happen to share any common ancestors with you?

Not family, right? Just really good friends.

What happens when your family wants nothing to do with you, but that same person who you have known most of your life (or a short time) is the one checking up on you? giving you love? looking out for you and having your back?

Still not family, right? Just a REALLY good friend who is acting how one would picture a family member would.

Well, I'm here to shake things up and say that the really good friend who is there for you is your family and the "family" who left your side, is not.

WHY?? Why would I type such a thing?? Family is family and that's that!!

Well, because to me family certainly means common ancestors, but family also means those who love you unconditionally, the ones who are by your side through thick and thin. The ones who will not be jaded by lack of communication or distance. The ones who respect you and love you no matter where you are in life. The ones who will be there for you, knowing well that you would do the same for them.

So if your blood related family is not that kind of family, look to those who give you all of that and possibly more. You DO have a family.

Family should always be expanding, both by blood and choice.

So for those who say, "I have no family" and think they mean it; Just remember, you can always make new family members, and the best part, you get to pick them!!

Personal Reflection:

I love the family I have chosen, and will always cherish my given family. Even though sometimes the ones I have chosen have proved themselves to be more, than my actual family.

Less judgement, more respect, more understanding and lots of love.