"FAMILY" defined....

According to The American Heritage Dictionary ...family is defined as such:
     fam·i·ly (fămə-lē, fămlē)   n. pl. fam·i·lies
     1.   a. A fundamental social group in society typically consisting of one or two parents and their children.
      b. Two or more people who share goals and values, have long-term commitments to one another, and reside usually in the same dwelling place.
      2. All the members of a household under one roof.

Now consider, if you will, MY definintion of "family". 
You may be related by blood,  to other human beings, but this is attributable to an "accident of birth", and certainly not by any conscious effort on your part.  An accident of birth does NOT necessarily create a "family". (Look at the fatherless children in your own community; look at the mothers who neglect and abuse their children....you call THAT "family"??)

I consider my family to consist of several people, both blood, and non-blood related, individuals.  The non-blood family members are sometimes held in higher regard, because I actually CHOSE them to be part of my "family".  This is a distinction that is not given lightly!  These members had to EARN my respect and high regard.  These members were chosen because they have proven, on countless occasions, that they have MY bests interest at heart.  There is never a hidden agenda or a self-serving "act" of generosity.

Then, on the other hand....I have "blood relatives" that I refuse to allow to cross my threshhold.  These individuals cannot be trusted.  THEY have proven, time and time again, that they are only out for themselves.  They have no regard for me, or my possessions.  They take what they want, when they want, and have no concern for how the loss will affect ME, financially or emotionally.   The fact that I took these individuals into my home in times past, and gave generously of my time, attention, and money in an attempt to help improve THEIR current situation, obviously meant nothing to them. I am a kind-hearted person, and apparently, because of this,  I was simply an easy 'mark'.  Don't make the mistake of confusing my kind heartedness with weakness!  I was made a fool of;  I was used;  I was cheated;  and I was lied to.....repeatedly.  WHY WOULD I STILL CONSIDER THESE  INDIVIDUALS "FAMILY" ?????   Please refer back to section 1., part b. of the above definition:  "people who share goals and values, have long-term commitments to one another"  I do NOT share goals or values with liars, theives, and cheats, therefore, I do not consider these types of persons my "family", regardless of bloodlines and DNA!  And by the time I cut you out of MY family, my "long term commitment" to you has already been abused and exhausted!  I am a christian.  I believe that we are to forgive others.  Even Jesus said that we are to "turn the other cheek".........but He never said what to do AFTER we have turned the other cheek!  I forgive those who have wronged me in the past, but I am NOT duty-bound, by blood OR christianity, to allow them to CONTINUE misusing me!   

In the Bible, Luke 18:22, Jesus tells us we are to forgive others "...until seventy times seven."  So, being a christian, I will continue to forgive you for being a dumbass and constantly making bad choices & decisions for your life...I will forgive you these things...but I will NOT allow you to continue making ME the target of your transgressions.  YOU are not my "family"...you were simply an accident of birth.  Just as I can choose who I want to allow INTO my family.....I can also choose who I will NOT allow.

If this offends you....it is probably because you spend way too much time dwelling on what you perceive as your "rights" and "privileges"!  The ONLY "birthright" you have is the promise of salvation by God.  There is no other.  I suggest to you,  to get your head out of your ass and become a better person.  Perhaps then, not only will the family you were BORN into accept you back into the fold, but you may find new "families" CHOOSING to make you a member, simply because you enhance their lives.

And if my words STILL offend you......GET OVER IT!!