by Lisenga Sutter

Created on: December 28, 2008

Is Blood Thicker Than Water?

It would be nice to think that this statement is true in any aspect, to know that your blood would be there for you in a way that no other would, however, I have proven that this is not always the case. I was adopted into a family that has loved and supported me through many difficult times, and throughout my life I have been lucky enough to have been a part of my biological family as well. Now this is not something that is often spoken about but my story is unique with this aspect in tact. I have been privileged to know both cultures and traditions and have incorporated them into my life today as an adult. Especially in this matter of speaking where blood is not thicker than water, but is still a part of my life. So I suppose that I do get the best of both worlds, however I personally do sway more to one side then the other.

Being raised in Hawaii the culture is very different then any other in the United States, at any given time as a sign of respect you would always reference a person older then you as "aunty or uncle" knowing that there is no blood line between the two of you. This being a part of my life from childhood to adult hood, I have found that I have created an extended family that consists of men and women that I look towards as my siblings. Regardless of ethnicity, culture, race, or anything else that would under normal circumstances is considered the foundations of a family. However these men and women have over the years proven to me that it does not need to have a blood line or a matching DNA strand that will bind us together. Now granted there are times that I sincerely wish that I had a better relationship with my biological family, and regardless of the circumstances that I would know that they would be there for me, but in all honesty it is not a statement that I can make with complete honesty.

I had met my older sister when I was in the seventh grade, and then she disappeared out of my life for more then fourteen years. When we were reunited again, there was a part of my that sincerely felt betrayed, and insulted that after all that time she could just step into my life and go straight into the roll of a big sister. She didn't know me, and in return I didn't know her. Over those years that we were not a part of one and others lives, I had befriended people that I looked at as my siblings, both brothers and sisters older and younger, and we had established this bond between us through time, laughter and tears. Perhaps I was wrong in thinking that these individuals had more of a standing in my life then a person that was my blood, but it was not something that I could just overlook.

Is blood thicker then water? No, not in my situation, and although I love my family dearly, and in all honesty I would be there for each and every one of them, there are moments that I can not say that I believe that statement. Now others are going to disagree with me, and that I understand completely, I can't speak for others feelings on a matter only my own. I suppose that there is a part of me that feels that I love my family because they are my family by blood. But for myself a family is not a blood line, a family consists of love and respect. That's what I have a rainbow family, all of which I look to as nothing less.

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