In schools, we are taught that "family is a group of people related by blood" and that has been stamped in our hearts that blood is all that is required to be family. Love, peace, unity, patience, sacrifice and perseverance are not quite necessary as the definition says.
Being able to laugh when your sister tells a dry joke or not shouting at your brother even when he bombards you with a series of senseless question is part of what makes us family. If you weren"t blood related to your siblings would you guys even talk much less be friends? Another quality of family, friendship. Being there for each other regardless of the age gap,height gap, perhaps intelligence gap or even peer pressure to ignore your little siblings.
Most fathers cant even recall the birthday of their children anymore, trying to make a living. "Providing them with the best in life" is the sentence of justification but children don't really know the difference between a private pool and playing in the rain as long as water is available for fun.
Slaving to give your children a better life as parents isn't a crime but neglecting them in the process is. They will remember more of that money than you. Family, a long string that pulls strangers together into one.
With the lockdown, a lot of couples realized they were family but had become strangers. The norm of "Good morning" and "Good night" had expired and now they were in each others faces awkwardly, wondering how they became couples in the first instance.
The money drive had drawn the string of family so far that once sweethearts now barely knew what was the others best dish. Well, they were still family either way because we are bound by a certificate of marriage and blood and that's all that is needed.
I'll say 'Total strangers related by blood'
The narrative has changed from blood related and certificate relations. Family isn't just that, not just by bearing the same surnames.
Family is a group of people related by love, understanding, patience, humility, selflessness, sacrifice and blood because you know blood is still thicker than water.
Don't just be a family, create one out of wonderful memories and having fun together. Not just by portraits and matching outfits but by matching sacrifice, love and a warm heart for each other.
Thank you and stay safe.