In the grand retrospect of my life, I am the product of thousands of years of decision making, traveling and the breeding of those who loved one another. There are hundreds of relatives to whom I am related to today who live across the country, and yet, I only know and am close to a few of those people. Would I call them all family?

On looking at the most common definition of the word, the answer is a resounding "yes." And why wouldn’t it be?

In the eyes of history, a shared genetic code meant the protection of both an individual and the family they were born in to. This safety often meant the ability to trace bloodlines back to an originator as well as keep hold of any political or social power.

However, this also meant that those who were not a part of this commonality of genes were either set aside as “outsiders” or marked as a danger to the continuance of the whole family. For those placed in the latter, the prospect of death or being shut out of society as an outcast was an often common fate.

Although our society today does not found itself on performing such actions towards one another, there still lies the belief that those who are of the same bloodline are the only ones we can trust while keeping all who are not at a safe distance.

For me, however, this has never truly been the case. In fact, I can proudly say that I have several moms and dads, over a dozen brothers and sisters, and not all of whom share the same DNA as me. How is that possible, you ask? I like to believe it is an extension of the mind and heart.

We have been bred to become fearful of the unknown although it is sometimes those who we are closest to by blood that hurt us the most. We often ask ourselves in these situations why someone who we are supposed to be strengthened by through our common ties of life, only serves to break us down.

That is when, in moments of finding who we truly are, that we open ourselves to others. They can be classmates, coworkers or even next-door neighbors (pictured above). It doesn’t matter how they came into your life but that they stayed with you through the most difficult of times, even if they are just there to hold your hand through it all.

So this brings into question again, what is family? In my definition, it is more than just a six-letter word that can be defined through a few words or sentences. It is a multi-faceted state of being that can be felt differently between each individual.

For me, they are those who take the time to be a part of your life although they didn’t have to. They are those who would ignore every speed limit sign to rush to the hospital for you. They are those who love you, no matter your past, and take you in as one of their own.

That is my definition of family.