by Patrick Young

Created on: June 30, 2007

According to all of the laws of science, absolutely. Outside of that, it all depends on the individual.

Specifically here, regarding family versus friends, I don't believe that blood (family) is even on the same plain as water.

I always thought of my relationship with my parents as Average, but now that I have grown older, I see it has changed between the 2 of them.

My mother and I are very close, and despite her quirky tendencies, if she were sick or dying, I would do my best to be there for her. Sure, I may not want to bring her out and show her off to all of my friends now that I am in my mid-20's, but really who does. The important thing is that I know I can talk to her and she knows that she can talk to me, and if one of us needs money, than the exchange is immediate (so long as one of us has it), and payback not a concern.

My father, looking back on it now, was a relationship of mutual indifference. Yes, he helped to provide a roof over my head, and put food on the table, but that was about it. He didn't support me with my school work, I wasn't able to talk with him about friends or foes, he never supported me when I tried playing sports in school, and rarely even now will he support my by coming to a show that I have Musical Directed. Now that I have grown older, I realized that I have some anger about that, and we take it out on each other now. He still busts my balls about everything, but the difference is that now I shoot his nasty comments right back at him. At this point, and this may change in a year, but right now if he were to die while I was out of the area on a job, I wouldn't think twice about staying where I was and finishing my contract. Callous? Yes, but the way our relationship is, he would probably prefer that I not be there.

I am an only child, and regarding children - if I ever were to adopt, that child would be my life, and I would throw myself in front of a speeding train if it would help them to be safe and happy.

Friends are a very similar thing. I have 3 really good friends who I know I can talk to absolutely anything about, I have an older female friend who was like a second mother to me for the past 2 years, and I have some great people that I work with, and those relationships are only getting stronger as the days go by.

On the other hand, I have had people I considered friends treat my like dirt and use me for my talents and then leave me hanging high and dry when I need something from them.

The difference is that you are stuck with the blood you have inside of you and there is no changing it, so you need to learn how to live with it as best you can - for some people its a blessing, and for some people its a disease. Water however can be purified, and you can choose what kind to drink, and what friends to associate with.

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