Blood is Thicker Than Water

The phrase "blood is thicker than water" is one of the most familiar sayings in the English language. It suggests that family relationships are stronger and more important than other connections. But what does this really mean? How did this saying come to be, and how does it apply in today’s world? While the phrase suggests strong family loyalty, real life shows that family relationships can be complicated. Conflicts, misunderstandings, and differing values sometimes strain these bonds. Disagreements over life choices: Career paths, relationships, or lifestyle decisions can cause friction.  Money matters often lead to tension among relatives Differences in beliefs and habits between older and younger family members can create distance.

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Despite these challenges, many families find ways to overcome difficulties by communicating openly and showing empathy.

 There are real-life examples where family loyalty played a crucial role such as

 rallying around a sick relative, providing care and emotional support. Standing up in toughtimes as Ihen someone faces legal or financial trouble, relatives may step in to help.. Celebrating milestones together - Weddings, graduations, and other events highlight the importance of family presence.

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Sometimes, people find stronger bonds outside their biological family. Close friends can become like family, offering support and loyalty that rivals or even surpasses blood relations. This phenomenon challenges the saying by showing that emotional connection matters more than genetics.  Trust and shared experiences build strong relationships. People can choose their family through friendship.

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This perspective broadens the understanding of what "family" means in modern society.

Family shapes who we are in many ways. Our values, traditions, and sense of belonging often come from our relatives. Family stories and history provide a sense of roots. Shared customs create a feeling of unity.  Family support helps build confidence and resilience.

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In a world where social networks and communities constantly change, the idea that "blood is thicker than water" remains relevant. Family often provides a stable foundation amid uncertainty. It reminds us to value those closest to us and to nurture relationships that last.

The phrase "blood is thicker than water" captures a powerful truth about human connections. Family relationships often carry a unique strength built on shared history, loyalty, and unconditional support. Yet, the meaning of family can extend beyond biology to include those we choose to call family.

Family, a concept which infers shared history, genetics, physical attributes and accepted norms. Of course, every family has “that relative”. You know the one that is always at family functions, but no one really knows. Maybe they are shy, maybe they are on the autism spectrum (bet they had all their vaccines), maybe they are hard of hearing and have only an inkling of what is being discussed around them. Maybe they are too intelligent to deal with non-Mensa members, maybe they have a personality disorder, or a mental illness. Maybe they are just an asshole and like to irritate people.

If you can not immediately identify this person, maybe you need to look in the mirror. Maybe you are “that relative”. Think about your interactions with friends and family. Are you only invited when gifts are expected? Is there a get together when you should receive gifts?

Looking back into childhood family events, there was no one I did not like. There were a few cousins my mother warned me to be careful around. They were wild and untrustworthy by her standards: held firecrackers in their hands to light them, would put a M-80 under a metal coffee can just to see how high it would go. Others would tell spooky stories that would provide fodder for months worth of nightmares. One of my older cousins would hide in a walk-in closet and read comic books, something his patents did not permit at home. Another always managed to slip down a couple houses to see if the “neighbor girls” were home. Compared to the living and dining rooms where the smoke was a foot thick at the ceiling and every ashtray was in use, tempting fate by hanging out with the “bad cousins” seemed rather harmless. There may have been a draft dodger and more than likely a couple that weren’t totally honest on their tax returns. I do not think any of them grew up to be pedophiles, mass murderers, or repeat offenders.

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• Amazing that not one of my smokestack relatives developed COPD or lung cancer. Neither did any of us kids! Must have good genes (that lovely thick blood at work)!

Now that I am much older and most of these family members are long in their graves, I always get invited to family events. There are several reasons, but the number one, is because I buy good presents. That I am considered eccentric, odd, dancing to a different bongo player, is just not an issue to those who share the gene pool. Those nfrequent ceremonial sacrifices of vegtables and fruits with a mieat cleaver are tolerated due to my gift giving history. I understand there was a comedian named Gallagher who became famous utilizing this technique with melons. I now compare family events like a good merlot ( that blood-like nectar of the gods), a glass or two is lovely, but consumed in excess provides a hell of a headache.

We do not get to choose our relatives, nor the preprogrammed attributes we inherit. If that were so, everyone would be tall, thin, intelligent, good looking and have perfect skin teeth and hair. Instead we get whatever is granted in the genetic lottery, buck teeth, frizzy hair, pattern baldness, beefy thighs, ruddy complexion, funky toes and crooked noses.

Amazingly these unique fragments of DNA have survived through generation after generation, so they must convey some hereditary edge.

The important thing is not what codes are in your DNA, but what you do with what you have!