THE EXTRA MILE

For every relationship we have heard of, the one that sticks from start to end is that of the family. And this can be for so many reasons. A family is not chosen. No one chooses the family they wish to come from, it just happens. Normally, a family will always be there for us no matter how things turns out for us. They will always stick around even in our darkest moments but then, this is only possible depending on the kind of relationship that is built among family members.

According to the realtalk prompt for this week, we are asked to answer the question, “IS BLOOD THICKER THAN WATER?” Well, I have seen and heard a lot of people use this phrase a lot and the truth is, for every word that is said, there is always an atom of truth in it. Indeed, I’ll say blood is thicker than water. But that doesn’t change the fact that water flows better than blood. If we take blood to be the bonds between family members, no doubt, it is thick but then, most times that also can be a problem. For some people that are lucky to come from a good family, they won’t even think twice about this because it is the truth.

But then, for the fact that family ties are stronger doesn’t mean that automatically removes every form of betrayer, quarrels and misunderstandings. We say blood is thicker than water because there is always this special preferences we give to family no matter how bad things are between us and them. We love them even when it’s not convenient. We show up for them even when we don’t want to and many more. And this is something we don’t just do for strangers except those ones that have grown to be like family to us.

When it comes to the relationship between family members, we can’t do anything about it most times so we learn to easily forgive them and if we choose to hate them for the wrong they have done to us, we will only be the ones to suffer in the end. But that is different when it comes to those that are not our families. We can easily walk away without feeling guilty about it and that is because we don’t even see each other everyday or have any form of strong connection with them.

So when people say blood is thicker than water, for me it is just an expression to show the length we can go for family that we can’t go for friends, colleagues and strangers. When it comes to family, we go the extra mile for them and we don’t even feel stressed about it because it is something that we have to do for them, but it is different trying to do that for people that are not related to us by blood. And that’s what we are talking about. Yes, we can go great lengths for some friends but most times, it is because we want something from them or because we are getting something from them in return but not with family. We do it whether or not we are benefiting from it.

Thank you for reading through. ❤️