We're singing a new song now and everything starts today...

"Our most basic instinct is not for survival but for family. Most of us would give our own life for the survival of a family member, yet we lead our daily life too often as if we take our family for granted." - Paul Pearshall

Hello world...


When a person is born, the first people they meet, aside from the doctor and nurses, is their family. A permanent bond is created in the mere seconds of a child coming into the world. That's all it takes, seconds, for unconditional love to form. A husband and wife become parents, in-laws become grandparents, only childs become siblings, and nieces and nephews become cousins. Everyone is linked by blood, and will forever share a connection.

So riddle me this. Does blood make you family? Is blood thicker than water? That is something I've pondered upon many times, yet still have not found a clear solution to. But I do think that at the end of the day, family is family, and there is no changing that.

Only in a perfect world would all family members get along beautifully and happily. Reality is, personalities clash and opinions differ. It is inevitable. I completely agree with the quote above, and I am sure I am not alone in the guilty chair here. I know I am not perfect, but I am genuine. I do my best. It's important to accept the fact that there will be differences, and to keep in mind that you don't choose your family. So, you better learn to love them.

What is most sad though, is when a family that was so beyond close, becomes so distant. Once upon a time there was such a tight friendship, but it was torn apart by a difference of opinions. Secrets shared become small talk sparsely shared, and it becomes just family visiting family. It's heartbreaking. It is what it is.

I think everyone should always bear in mind that your family will always be there for you. Appreciate what you have on the day to day more often. Life is short.

This all applies to friendships as well by the way (and since I wrote about love in my previous post I'll keep romantic relationships out of this, but it most certainly applies to those as well). Like the saying goes, your friends are the family you choose. Don't take good friends for granted. I certainly have not been a model friend, but I can own up to it and make things right. Lucky are those who have life long friends. I love my friends so dearly, and it is so gratifying to have friendships that are close to being 20 years old. Real friendship understands that lives change course and go down different paths sometimes. That's why real friendships will always last. Hold on to those.


- VA


Post title song: Guster - "Keep it Together"