Friends are your family related by love

Sherri T.

WOW.  Sometimes you hear words that blow you away. And that hit you right in the heart.  In a good way.

Dear friend Ricki shared these wise words. They represent the wisdom of her treasured friend Millie. Little did Millie know at the time that her words were so insightful and profound.

Turns out that social connections and friendships are being understood as far more important than we ever knew. 

A recent New York Times article cited emerging research which found that social isolation is more lethal than obesity or smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Former UK Prime Minister Theresa May actually appointed a Minister for Loneliness, which has now been identified as one of the most daunting public health challenges of our time.  

While Millie is no longer with us, her wise words still carry weight – especially with Ricki. Perhaps more than ever because they bring back fond memories of a special person in her life. 

 Ricki had moved to a new city with her family and basically had to start over in building new relationships and forging emotional ties.

 She considered herself fortunate to move next door to a wonderful neighbor. Ricki and Millie started out as neighbors, soon became friends and shortly after recognized that they were family related by love.

As the families began to spend more time together, Millie became like a mother and grandmother to Ricki and her children. Millie was an extra set of eyes on the street, a pair of helping hands in the home, and both head and heart, whenever needed.

Of course, it is important to acknowledge that not all family relationships are rosy. Not all family members get along well with each other. There is no ideal family.

So Millie’s notion of “family” must be understood not in a literal sense but in a figurative way. Her words about friends as family imply a connection that is both powerful and unique. 

In this case, friends are linked not by genes but by genuineness.

Friends are linked not by parents but by presence.

Friends are linked not by blood or brood but by bond – the most meaningful relationship of all.