Growing up, I never understood family, or what it stood for. As I have grown and explored more of what the world has to offer, I have discovered what family truly means. Family is not blood. Family is not a draw of the stick luck. Family is not your mother’s uncle’s son. Family is love. The title of being family is earned. Family are people you can rely on. I know I can call anyone I consider family and they will be there for me. Supporting me. Having my back. I know that if I need advice, they will be there.
Through experience, I have learned who I can and cannot rely on. At family reunions, I hear uncles telling me stories of how they miss me. Uncles that live only 30 minutes away yet never visit. They have my number, the same for the last 12 years, and they never call. On my birthday, I do not even get a text. Yet, when they see me, they spend hours asking me about my life and who I am with. They talk to me as if they know anything about me. They ask me about school and work. And worst of all they make empty promises. Promises to protect me from whoever I am with if he hurts me. Promises to spend time with me, to go see that really cool thing in downtown. Promises they know that once dinner is over, they will never think of again. This is not a family. Family are those who I know if I call they will be here as soon as they can. Family is not filled with empty words. I know that if I call on the family that I have chosen, they will always be there. Family are my friends who I know at any time of day I can show up at their place unannounced and say, “I need a hug”. They will spend the day watching stupid TV shows while eating chili and cookies. I know my parents will be there. I know my friends will be there. These people are my family.
Growing up, I never understood family, or what it stood for. As I have grown and explored more of what the world has to offer, I have discovered what family truly means. Family is not blood. Family is not a draw of the stick luck. Family is not your mother’s uncle’s son. Family is love. The title of being family is earned. Family is being able to rely on that person. I know I can call anyone I consider family and they will be there for me. Supporting me. Having my back. I know that if I need advice, they will be there. Through experience, I have learned who I can and cannot rely on. At family reunions, I hear uncles telling me stories of how they miss me. Uncles that live only 30 minutes away yet never visit. They have my number, the same for the last 12 years, and they never call. On my birthday, I do not even get a text. Yet, when they see me, they spend hours asking me about my life and who I am with. They talk to me as if they know anything about me. They ask me about school and work. And worst of all they make empty promises. Promises to protect me from whoever I am with if he hurts me. Promises to spend time with me, to go see that really cool thing in downtown. Promises they know that once dinner is over, they will never think of again. This is not a family. Family are those who I know if I call they will be here as soon as they can. Family is not filled with empty words. I know that if I call on the family that I have chosen, they will always be there. Family are my friends who I know at any time of day I can show up at their place unannounced and say “I need a hug” and they will spend the day watching stupid TV shows while eating chili and cookies. I know my parents will be there. I know my friends will be there. These people are my family.
Expression of my life 