Blood is Thicker Than Water, But Then So Is Toothpaste

I've never been graced with a close-knit family. For the most part, I pretend my mother's side doesn't exist, and the remaining people on my father's side I want nothing to do with. They all seem equally happy to ignore me. It works for us.

But all of a sudden, now that my father is in the hospital, my phone is ringing off the hook and my Facebook is blowing up. Who are these people that are all of a sudden family? My aunt, my cousin? Great-aunt, great-uncle?

I do not know these people. They are strangers, briefly met at a fourth of July party years and years ago. They were people that saw me once a year, commented on how tall I was getting, and then went to fix their plate and swim. My grandmother, my two uncles-Those were the people who loved me between gatherings. They were the ones who called, sent birthday cards, and kept up with my life. But they're gone now.

The people left over are nothing to me. Furthermore, I want them to stay out of our lives. My great-uncle damaged my father and his brother in unimaginable ways, but now they call me at all times of day wanting to know if he's alright?

I have my own family now. A mother that's gone to Heaven(because if anyone should, it would be her). Another mother that's been there for 8 years of my life, and my older sister. His aunt, his entire family really, that treats me like one of their own. I'll be spending my July 4th with them next week, in fact. And let me tell you- It'll be a hell of alot more fun than sitting around with strangers.