Qui a dit que vous ne pouvez pas choisir votre famille

Family has always been important to me and I was devastated when I lost mine. 

  That being said I think it is important to examine the way we view family in general. What is family? Well the dictionary definition states that a family must be related by blood or marriage. But why? Why in the wonderful progressive world we live in must it be that way? 

  When I first moved out and my parents still were talking to me, out of necessity, it hadn't quite hit yet what I was losing. And then it hit like a brick wall. Months with no response. And when I did get a response, brief and curt. I haven't heard my parents' voices in over a year. They've never acknowledge their grandson, and act like he does't exist. It hurts me badly. I never intended to lose my family to gain myself. Yet that's how it is in "their" world. Live a life that is not of their choosing, and pay dearly for it.
  During my pregnancy and postpartum I have struggled with the reality of being shunned by one's family. But I do not want to feel sorrow forever. I want to appreciate that I have gained a beautiful partner in all I do. Not just a husband and father to my son, but a best friend, and a family. I have my best friend, the kind of friend I never had before. She doesn't think badly of me, she sees me for me. I have friends that are there when I really need them. Just this afternoon I had coffee with a friend from my past, how great it felt to talk with him and enjoy our time, it felt like I had a brother again. 
  So, yes I don't have a family in the traditional sense of the word. But I do have family and I chose them to be there. 
 Merci mon amis, 
   Votre Vraiment, 
     Bird Lalena