Before I launch into my opinion of this phrase... I'd like to clear up a lot of the misunderstandings that surround it. The first time I heard this phrase, I believe I was 8 or 9 and my dad was explaining to me that my family would always be there for me and love me, etc. etc.... and how friends can't always be as trusted. It's an unpopular opinion for the generations that came before me, but I don't stand by the belief that family bonds have to be stronger than friendship. That aside... this is where the misunderstanding of the phrase comes in.
Many people take it as an indicator that family bonds are stronger than mere friendship because of blood ties; but the quote that this saying is derived from is actually "the blood of the covenant is stronger than the water of the womb". It actually means that blood shed in battle would bond soldiers closer than simple genetics... and thus; the quote actually means opposite of what most people will take it as. I'll continue my unpopular opinion. I don't believe that family ties are stronger than friendships at all, in most cases. I am pretty sure I've said this before in previous posts; but if I haven't then I'll re-iterate here. I treat everyone with an equal amount of respect that they deserve until they give me a reason to show them more... or to show them less. Treat others as you wish to be treated; but don't forget to also treat others as they have treated you. Since I live by peace over power, I do try to contain myself a bit from "treating others as they treat me". The psychological damage that some have inflicted onto me is far more than I think I could ever do to anyone regardless of what they had done to me... simply because that's not how I am. I'm a lover, not a fighter... despite popular opinion. To get back to the quote, I have family who I haven't spoken to in years. I have family who make no effort to stay in touch with me... or anyone else. I have family who I've never met and I have family who haven't said more than a few words to me out of obligation. I have family who would sooner argue and gossip about me than have my back if I were to fall. On the other side of the coin; I also have family who I have good relationships with! In fact, the portion of you I'm close with are probably reading this blog post; you know who you are... so I thank you for maintaining a relationship with me and for being there for me. Thank you for the love and support with all that has happened over the years. On the friends side of things, I have many friends who I would consider far closer to me than 95% of my family. I have friends who know me inside out and who I would trust with my life; and I cannot say the same for everyone I'm related to. I don't know. Just because we have blood ties doesn't make you any more or less of a person to me. Your character should speak for itself. Regardless of anything else. "I don't care about whose DNA has re-combined with whose. When everything goes to hell, the people who stand by you without flinching- they are your family." - Maddie
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