That is family too. Maybe even more so. Blood and water. One you’re born into. One you build.
It’s supposed to mean that family comes first. That the bond of DNA is unbreakable. That no matter what happens—betrayal, silence, or distance—you show up for the people who share your last name. Blood and Water
Walking away from blood does not make you a bad person. It makes you a person who finally decided to stop bleeding for people who wouldn’t even offer a bandage. That is family too
You are allowed to close the door. You are allowed to grieve the relationship you wished for while still protecting yourself from the one you actually have. Interestingly, the full original quote is thought to be: “The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb.” One you’re born into
The people who call just to check in. The ones who apologize when they mess up. The ones who see you—really see you—and stay anyway.
Because sometimes, blood is exactly what holds you underwater. And sometimes, water is what saves your life. Let’s be honest. Family is complicated. The same people who taught you how to ride a bike might also be the ones who know exactly which buttons to push to make you feel small. The holidays that look like a Norman Rockwell painting from the outside can feel like a war zone behind closed doors.