Family - noun. A basic social unit consisting of parents and their children, considered as a group, whether dwelling together or not.
But is this really what defines a family? Is this dictionary definition really what we all think of when we think of the word family? In theory, it works. You have your mom, dad and your siblings--a family, technically speaking. What about those who have come to know nothing but pain and abuse from their "family?" Do they not have the right to not count those "family members" as
A family can be perfect, or perfect in its own ways. It can also be far from that. Some can start out as the picture perfect, cookie cutter family everyone believes they will have and then slowly fall apart. Negative comments, hurtful words and constant emotional abuse can cause anyone to slowly fall apart. All of these negative things can slowly begin to outweigh all of the positive and wonderful things a family can offer.
A person can only take so much before they begin to fear that every interaction will be negative. Being exposed to negativity for any period of time can bring that fear out in anyone. When it comes down to it, the easiest way to get rid of the negativity is to just cut it out of your life completely. Now, some might not agree with cutting the negativity out but that's okay. They don't always have to understand why you do the things you do and if the others begin to bring negativity into your life, then maybe you just have to cut them out too.
Sometimes kind actions with the best intentions can't make up for any of the bad things and eventually, you just have to stop wanting to try. Stop wanting them to try to be better people.
There is only so much a person can take before they break and once you break, it's hard to put yourself together. No matter what you do, or want to do, you can't seem to build yourself up to the person you were before. It changes you. The negativity changes you. Eventually, you make peace with the person you've become. You let go of all of the negativity and everything else that is weighing you down and you allow yourself to live the life you want to live, with the people who build you up. With the people you consider family. They might not be family by the technical definition, but who's to say what makes a family. They're the people you have a mutual love and trust for. They might not be blood, but they're still family and sometimes that works. That's the kind of family you need. The kind that will always be there for you with open arms and won't have the negative things to say and that is just what some people call family.
