One of the topics very dear to my heart is my family. This includes my immediate family and my extended family.

Being in a family is not a right it is a privilege.

According to answers.com they provide the following definition:

1. A fundamental social group in society typically consisting of one or two parents and their children.

2. Two or more people who share goals and values, have long-term commitments to one another, and reside usually in the same dwelling place.

3. All the members of a household under one roof.

4. A group of persons sharing common ancestry.

By extended family I include close friends.

Let me add to the above definition by also saying it means helping each other,caring about each other and loving each other.

The reason I say having a family is a privilege is their are a lot of dysfunctional and messed up families out their. I really believe a lot is how you are raised and what your beliefs are.

I come from warm and caring parents. Both my parents come from warm and caring families. As a result we have all turned into be warm and caring people.

When I look at people who do not having and caring families they are not really part of a family at all but part of a group of people. Relationship take work families take work and people need to recognize this.