Who really is family ? A question that now at my 17 years old, I'm stuck asking. I was always taught family is only blood and we all watch out for each other. I come from a huge family , so there is no such thing as close family. All family is close. At get together's or special events , no one is cut out, you have to invite everyone! At my dads wedding two years ago, we had over 600 guest. There was a lot of family that didn't get to make it. Crazy huh ? I lived 17 years by our motto , family over everything, family first and when I meant family, I meant everyone ! Something recently happened in my life where my families true colors revelied. I learned that my "family' is all talk. All those people who said they would be there or watch out for us if anything ever happened, sat on there asses and didn't do anything knowing we were in need of serious help. I never got a phone call or letter to see if I was okay. Never offered us a hand, even if it was something as small as take us lunch or a ride to school. I put up excuses for my "family" over and over. I have so much family and not one person did anything to help. I always hoped they would come around , but they never did. The same 5 people took us in, helped us out way more then they needed too. The ones that helped us out the first two times life threw us to the ground. This was now the third time but this time was the worst of all. I was done making excuses for my "family" . They had turned their back on us, every single one of them. I realized that my family were these 5 people. They taught me what family really means. To love unconditionally, to give and not expect anything in return, to stay true to you and always be there in the good and bad times. That's family. It took me 17 years to relaize that, I had my family by my side the whole time. They weren't the ones at the wedding or bragging "family first, family over anything" and never living up to their words, they were the ones that whenever we called they raced to help simply because they care and because they understand the true meaning of family. They have been there since day one, literally. The ones I always go running to for anything, I didn't even consider my family. I did but not by the motto. I feel like a fool, not recognizing what a wonderful family I've had all along. To busy being stuck in my dad's definition of family. No longer will I be blinded ! I want my family to know how grateful I am for them and be there as much as they have been there for us. Blood doesn't make you family, the people at your parties aren't always your family, people who only talk but you can never rely on aren't family. Family are the people who get up and do anything to help you wheather its a good or bad situation, the ones that care how your doing, the ones that no matter what the problem is they are there to help but most importantly they are the ones that don't turn their back on you, ever !