I believe as we come into the holiday season it is an interesting and even insightful time to look at the interrelationships between people. In many ways, this is a hard subject to explore as it is so rooted in personal belief and a projection of understanding. Though it may be rooted in personal belief and projected understanding, in all of this, there is also a denial of what is actually taking place.
 
For example, let’s focus on the family for a moment. Think about your own family. Think about your own interrelationship with your family. If you view it with an open mind, I believe you will see that those who truly make up your family, those who possess the same bloodline as yourself, are those who are always held the closest. Meaning, even if you have an issue with them, and you may not even like them all the time, they are the ones who remain a constant in your life, and you will always allow them a space in your mind and your heart.
 
If you turn this thought process around to what may be defined as your friends, think about how many so-called friends have come and gone in your life, throughout time. I would imagine that many people, people that you one time defined as a friend, have come and gone, in and out of your life, but those people who are truly your family, those you have a blood tie with have remained. Remained, for better or for worse.
 
In this truth, I believe that we can each see a trend that constitutes the definition of what a family truly is, and how our interrelationships are truly defined.
 
I know from own perspective, I have been confronted with this truth many times ever since I was very young.
 
Le me tell you a kind of funny story here… Funny, in that not so funny sort of way… But, it does provide insight to what I’m speaking about.
 
Okay, let’s step back a million years. My long-time friend finds a woman. She gets pregnant. They decide to get married. I’m the only person who went along with them to Vegas as their witness. They have their baby. All-good. It’s time for her to be baptized. He asks me to be the godfather. Sure. But, as they are Catholic, he tells me I have lie to the priest and tell him that I’m Catholic, as well. I guess you have to be of the same faith to be a godfather in that sect of the religion??? I’m probably going to hell over that one. Anyway… But, I happily did it. Did it for a friend and all. She’s baptized. I’m the godfather. Whenever it’s Christmas time, they always ask good ole Uncle Scott to buy the most expensive gift for her. Sure. Whatever… Happy to do it. Time passes; I rarely see the guy as he works in Vegas all week and only comes home to L.A. on the weekends. More time passes, his daughter gets married. I’m not even invited to the wedding. She has a kid, never told me anything about it. It wasn’t until my friend’s funeral that I even knew anything about any of it. But, the blood all did.
 
You see, blood is everything.
 
And, if you’ve been read this blog for a while, you know I’ve discussed similar situations in association with my marrying into a Korean family. As a white guy, I’m there, but I’m not. I’m always on the outside. Plus, I’ve told other stories, about other situations, in various places, that all lead to a similar conclusion.
 
My point being, if you have a blood tie to someone, there is always that connection. If you don’t, you don’t. It’s as simple as that.
 
Think about all of the friends you had, once upon a time, and then you had them no more. Think of all the loves you had, that you thought would last forever, but they are long gone.
 
As the old saying goes, blood is thicker than water. It’s important to keep that in mind.