Friends are just as important as family

I've often heard the expression, "blood is thicker than water." Perhaps for some, that is truly the case. For me though, my friends mean as much or more than my family. I love my family and always will, but more often than not, they tend to be the source of my problems and stress. In particular, my mom has been a source of endless frustrations. She has cost me a lot of money and time over the past five years especially. She did raise me on her own, and I respect that, but she also used hard drugs at different times and I somewhat raised myself also. Moms in general tend to be master manipulators (though often used for good intentions) and experts of the "guilt trip." I met my father for the first time when I was 25. Its been an interesting relationship for us, as we work on trying to bond after living apart for so long. He has helped me in some ways, and been no help at all at other times. My grandparents on my mom's side were manipulators in their own way, often preying on the generosity of churches. My grandparents on my dad's side are actually the easiest for me to talk too and overall great people. I love them very much and so grateful to have them in my life. My younger half brother and sister are nice when they want something, otherwise they are too consumed with their own lives to care about what goes on in mine.
We've all had a few friends that have dissapointed, or betrayed, or even lied to us. However, most of my friends have been my life-savers time and again. Just in this last year alone I've been truly blessed by those that care about me. When I was about to lose my place that I had shared with my mother (who decided not to work anymore because her hands hurt), my friend Duane had come to the rescue and offered me a room in his nice apartment. With his help I was able to get in the positive financially. After I lost my job, a married couple whom were customers and also friends were the main reason I got back to school. My best friend Shea knew the struggles I was having with transportation. With the help of her mom they had me behind the wheel of a nice toyota celica, and the first car I ever truly owned with title and everything.
Friends and family both can be wonderful. They help in the ways they can, and also bring their own sets of problems and occasional drama to the table. Like all of us do in our own way. I don't think love is necessarily earned but just because there is a blood connection doesn't mean they should be trusted or respected. Blood is not always thicker than water.