Family is not about blood. It is about who is willing to hold your hand when you need it most, meaning that family goes beyond blood ties. In our walk through life, we will always find those friends that stick closer than brothers. These are the people that are willing to go the extra mile with and for us even when our blood relations give up on us.

A family goes beyond getting related to one another by blood. Here’s a short story of what it truly means to have a family. I found my true family many years ago on what was meant to be my deathbed. The doctors had told my family that there was no hope for me. Initially, they were always by my bedside, but their presence became scarce as my health deteriorated more. The only person that never stopped visiting was my best friend, Jake, even when all hope seemed lost and my family was watching and waiting for me to die from afar.

Jake held my hands and walked me through every chemo, radiation, and spiritual treatment till I became cancer-free again. Sometimes, the people you have put all your hope on might be the same people that will leave you when the going gets tough.

Only a true family will be willing to hold your hands against all odds. And when you find such a person, you will realize that the people you call your family may just be mere blood relatives. Because family goes beyond blood ties, it is about who is got your back and is willing to move mountains for you.